Chresis
/ˈkriːsɪs/noun
A Greek-derived term meaning use or employment, especially in philosophical or technical contexts.
Did you know?In ancient Greek philosophy, forms of chresis could mean not just ordinary use, but the proper or effective use of something — a reminder that words once carried the force of practical knowledge, not just labels.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gʰer-
“to desire, wish for, need”
Ancient Greek
Greek
χρῆσις (chrēsis)
“use, employment, utilization”
Late Latin
Latin
chresis
“use; technical borrowing from Greek”
Middle English
English
chresis
“use; employment (rare learned borrowing)”
Modern English
English
chresis
“a learned or technical term for use or employment”
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