1519
utilize
use-by date /'ju:z bɑː ˌdeɪt/ n a date marked on a product, especially on food, to show the day or month before which the product should be used so that it will be fresh: This cooked meat is past its use-by date. → compare SELL-BY DATE
used /ju:zd/ adj 1 (usually of goods) which has already had an owner; SECOND-HAND: used cars 2 used to /'ju:st tuː// in the habit of; ACCUSTOMED to: I'm used to the noise. | I'm not used to spicy food. | [+v-ing] I never got used to going to bed so late. → see also USE
use-ful /'ju:sfəl/ adj 1 effective in use; bringing help or advantage: a useful idea/tool/piece of advice | The minister said that an inquiry would serve no useful purpose. | [+to-v] She's a useful person to know. 2 BrE infml satisfactory: The England cricket team scored quite a useful total. —ly adv —ness n [U] This old radio has outlived its usefulness. (=is no longer useful, no longer works well etc)
,useful 'life n humor the period of time which a machine operates well: I think this photocopier is reaching the end of its useful life.
use-less /'ju:sləs/ adj 1 not of any use; bringing no help or advantage: a few useless suggestions | It's useless to complain. | It's useless complaining. (=Complaining is useless.) 2 especially BrE infml derog not able to do anything properly; INCOMPETENT: You're useless! You've done it wrong again! —ly adv —ness n [U]
us-er /'ju:zə/ n a person or thing that uses: The factory is one of the biggest users of oil in the country. | road users → see also END USER
,user-'friendly adj (especially of a computer system) easy to operate or understand; not needing special training: a user-friendly computer/textbook
'user ,group n 1 a group of people who have the same interests and use a particular product or service 2 a group of people who exchange information on the Internet about computers
,user 'interface n the part of a computer programme or SOFTWARE package that contains the commands and functions available to the person using the computer
'user name also 'user I.D n a name or special word that proves who you are and allows you to enter a computer system or use the Internet: Please enter your user name and password and click 'OK'.
,US Geo,logical 'Survey a US government organization, part of the DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, which makes detailed maps of the US and lists of minerals found in the US. In the UK there is a similar organization called the ORDNANCE SURVEY.
ush-er¹ /'ʌʃə/ n 1 someone who shows people to their seats on an important occasion, for example in church at weddings 2 BrE someone who keeps order in a law court 3 someone who shows people to their seats in a theatre or cinema
usher² v [T+obj+adv/prep, especially IN] fml to bring, especially by showing the way: She ushered the visitor into the room. | I ushered him to a seat. | fig.) The bombing of Hiroshima ushered in the nuclear age.
ush-er-ette /ˌʌə'ret/ n especially BrE a woman or girl who works in a cinema, taking tickets, selling ice cream, and showing people to their seats in the dark
USIA, the /ˌju: es aɪ 'eɪ/ abbrev. for the United States Information Agency; a former US government department which sent representatives abroad to provide information about the United States. It is now part of the Department of State.
USM, the /ˌju: es 'em/ abbrev. for Unlisted Securities Market; a part of the London Stock Exchange for smaller companies which cannot be listed officially with the Stock Exchange → compare OVER-THE-COUNTER
US 'Masters ,Tournament, the the MASTERS TOURNAMENT, an important US GOLF competition
USMC /ˌju: es em 'si:/ abbrev. for United States Marine Corps; the full name of the MARINE CORPS
USO /ˌju: es 'əʊ/ abbrev. for United Service Organization; a US organization which arranges performances, builds libraries, and provides equipment such as telephones and televisions for people in the US armed forces
US 'Open, the 1 an important GOLF competition that takes place in the US each year → see also BRITISH OPEN, MASTERS TOURNAMENT 2 an important TENNIS competition that takes place in the US each year, in Forest Hills near New York City. The US Open is one of the GRAND SLAM events in tennis.
USP /ˌju: es 'pi:/ n abbrev. for unique selling proposition; a feature of a product that makes it different from other similar products, and therefore more attractive to people who might buy it
,US Ro'botics trademark a US company that makes a well-known type of MODEM (=a small piece of equipment for connecting computers to the Internet)
USS /ˌju: es 'es/ abbrev. for United States Ship; letters which go before the name of a ship to show that it belongs to the American government: USS Arizona
,USS 'Cole a US naval ship that was attacked by TERRORISTS in October 2000 in Aden, Yemen. A bomb exploded and killed 17 sailors, hurt many others, and badly damaged the ship. The US government believed the extreme Islamic group al-Qaeda was responsible for the attack.
USSR, the /ˌju: es es 'ɑ:r/ → see SOVIET UNION
usu. written abbrev. for usually
u-su-al /'ju:ʒuəl, 'ju:ʒəl/ adj 1 customary; in accordance with what happens or is done in most cases: We will meet at the usual time. | This work isn't up to your usual standard. | His speech to the staff was the usual mixture of praise and threats. | Is it usual for him to be so late? | (infml) Will you have your usual, George? (=the drink you usually have) 2 as usual as is common or has happened before: As usual, he arrived last.
u-su-al-ly /'ju:ʒuəli, 'ju:ʒəli/ adv in most cases; generally: We're usually in bed by ten. | I'm not usually so late. | I'm not late, usually. | It's more than usually crowded today.
u-sur-er /'ju:ʒərə/ n fml derog a person who lends money which must be paid back at an unfairly high rate of interest
u-su-ri-ous /ju:'zjʊəriəs||ju:'ʒʊr-/ adj fml derog (of a price or rate of interest) unreasonably high —ness n [U]
u-surb /ju:'zɜ:p||-'sɜ:rp/ v [T] fml to take (power or position) for oneself illegally or without having the right to do so: Henry IV usurped the throne of England. | The Vice-President is trying to usurp the President's authority. —er n —ation /ˌju:zɜ:'peʃn||-'sɜ:r-/ n [U]
u-su-ry /'ju:ʒəri/ n [U] fml derog the practice of lending money to be paid back at an unfairly high rate of interest
USWA /ˌju: es ˌdʌbəlju: 'eɪ/ abbrev. for the United Steelworkers of America; a TRADE UNION in the US and Canada for people who work in the STEEL industry, making steel
U-tah /'ju:tɑ:||-tɔ:/ written abbrev. UT a state in the west of the US, whose capital, Salt Lake City, is a centre of the MORMON religion. Most of the people who live in Utah are Mormons.
Ute /ju:t/ n 1 the Ute [P] a Native American tribe living mainly in Colorado and Utah: a Ute reservation 2 a member of this tribe → see Cultural Note at NATIVE AMERICAN
u-ten-sil /ju:'tensəl/ n fml or tech an object with a particular practical use, especially a tool or container: kitchen/cooking utensils
u-te-rus /'ju:tərəs/ n pl. -ri /raɪ/ or -ruses med for WOMB —rine /-raɪn/ adj
U-ther Pen-drag-on /ˌju:θə pen'drægən||-θər-/ a king of the ancient BRITONS and the father of King Arthur in old stories → see also ARTHURIAN LEGEND
u-til-i-tar-i-an /ˌju:tɪlɪ'teəriən/ adj 1 fml, sometimes derog made to be useful rather than decorative: utilitarian furniture 2 believing in utilitarianism
u-til-i-tar-i-an-is-m /ˌju:tɪlɪ'teəriənɪzəm/ n [U] a belief that the more people a course of action helps, the better it is
u-til-i-ty /ju:'tɪləti/ n 1 [U] fml the degree of usefulness: a research project with limited practical utility 2 [C often pl.] a useful service for the public, such as supplies of water to the home, the bus service etc
u'tility ,pole n AmE a tall wooden pole for supporting telephone and electric wires etc → compare TELEGRAPH POLE
u'tility ,room n a room, especially in a private house, used for storage and for keeping large household equipment in, such as washing machines and FREEZERS
u-til-ize also -ise BrE /'ju:tɪlaɪz/ v [T] fml or pomp to make