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Utility   /jutˈɪləti/   Listen
noun
Utility  n.  
1.
The quality or state of being useful; usefulness; production of good; profitableness to some valuable end; as, the utility of manure upon land; the utility of the sciences; the utility of medicines. "The utility of the enterprises was, however, so great and obvious that all opposition proved useless."
2.
(Polit. Econ.) Adaptation to satisfy the desires or wants; intrinsic value. See Note under Value, 2. "Value in use is utility, and nothing else, and in political economy should be called by that name and no other."
3.
Happiness; the greatest good, or happiness, of the greatest number, the foundation of utilitarianism.
Synonyms: Usefulness; advantageous; benefit; profit; avail; service. Utility, Usefulness. Usefulness has an Anglo-Saxon prefix, utility is Latin; and hence the former is used chiefly of things in the concrete, while the latter is employed more in a general and abstract sense. Thus, we speak of the utility of an invention, and the usefulness of the thing invented; of the utility of an institution, and the usefulness of an individual. So beauty and utility (not usefulness) are brought into comparison. Still, the words are often used interchangeably.






Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48








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"Utility" Quotes from Famous Books



... distant view of a generation yet to be can see him in just relation to the men of this time. In judging the weight and work of a contemporary, we attach an over-importance to the number and social position of his nominal adherents; while, in estimating the utility of an historic leader, we instinctively feel that these things are almost the last to be considered. For the greatest influence for good has come from men who have struggled in feeble minorities,—ever ...
— The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 13, No. 75, January, 1864 • Various

... the soul of John Norton had long slumbered, but now it awoke in remorse and pain, and, repulsing its habitual exaltations as if they were sins, he turned to the primal idea of the vileness of this life, and its sole utility in enabling man to gain heaven. A pessimist he admitted himself to be so far as this world was concerned. But the manifestations of modern pessimism were checked by constitutional mysticity. Schopenhauer, ...
— Celibates • George Moore

... most learned and venerable Sir, to deserve well of sound literature, which now lies universally neglected and despised. Go on, in forming the youth of France (since you will have their utility to be your sole view) upon the best ...
— The Ancient History of the Egyptians, Carthaginians, Assyrians, • Charles Rollin

... therefore, a danger lest, unless I shall show what, on each subject, was inconclusive, you may probably be led away by error. For while I acknowledge, that of those laws which are instituted, not for any particular time, but for eternity, on account of their perpetual utility, not one ought to be repealed; unless either experience evince it to be useless, or some state of the public affairs render it so; I see, at the same time, that those laws which particular seasons have required, are mortal, (if I may use the term,) and changeable with the times. Those made ...
— History of Rome, Vol III • Titus Livius

... given just this one instance to satisfy those who question the utility of Polar Expeditions, but ...
— South! • Sir Ernest Shackleton


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