utility etymology

Etymology:

The word "utility" is derived from the Latin word "utilitas," which means "usefulness," "profit," or "advantage." The prefix "ut-" means "use," while the suffix "-ity" denotes a quality, state, or condition.

Meaning:

Utility refers to the usefulness, value, or benefit of something. It is the degree to which something satisfies a need or fulfills a purpose. In economics, utility is the measure of satisfaction or well-being derived from consuming goods and services.

Origin:

The concept of utility has been recognized since ancient times. Philosophers like Plato, Aristotle, and Epicurus discussed the relative importance of usefulness and virtue in ethical decision-making. In the 18th century, Jeremy Bentham codified the idea of utility as a foundation of ethics, known as utilitarianism.

Related Terms:

  • Utilitarian: A person who emphasizes the principle of utility in ethical and practical decisions.
  • Utility function: In economics, a mathematical function that represents the preferences of an individual or society for different bundles of goods and services.
  • Marginal utility: The additional utility derived from consuming one more unit of a good or service.
  • Expected utility: The expected value of the utility associated with different possible outcomes.

utility relate terms

  • brook

    Etymology Middle English broke brook Old English brōc Proto West Germanic brōk

  • utilitarian

    Etymology Utilitarian is derived from the Latin word utilis meaning useful Me

  • utility

    Etymology The word utility is derived from the Latin word utilitas which means use

  • unitarian

    Etymology The word Unitarian comes from the Latin word unitas meaning oneness or

  • substitute

    Etymology Derived from the Latin word substituere meaning to put in place of anothe

  • Pentateuch

    Etymology The term Pentateuch is derived from two Greek words penta πεντα

  • behoof

    Etymology The word behoof comes from the Middle English word behofe which in turn d

  • main

    Etymology The word main derives from the Old French term mein or maen meaning gre

  • purpose

    Etymology Latin propositum n from the verb proponere to put forth propose Pro

  • plumbing

    Etymology The word plumbing originates from the Latin word plumbum which means lead

  • driver

    Etymology The word driver has multiple etymological origins 1 Old English drifa

  • function

    Etymology is the study of the history of words including their origins forms and meanin

  • role

    Etymology The word role originates from the Old French word rolle which in turn com