consuetude

American  

[kon-swi-tood, -tyood] / ˈkɒn swɪˌtud, -ˌtyud /

noun

1. custom, especially as having legal force.

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consuetude British  

/ ˈkɒnswɪˌtjuːd /

noun

1. an established custom or usage, esp one having legal force

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Other Word Forms

• consuetudinary adjective

Etymology

Origin of consuetude

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Old French consuetude, a learned borrowing or Latinism from Latin consuētūd(o), “custom, habit, usage, social intercourse, illicit affair,” equivalent to con- con- + suē- (root of suēscere “to accustom, become accustomed,” akin to suus “one's own”) + -tūdō -tude

Example Sentences

For the present he swept the skies leisurely, feasting on the infinite wonders which no consuetude could render commonplace.

From The Mayor of Warwick by Hopkins, Herbert M. (Herbert Müller)

I remember myself to have so done, and that is my common consuetude when anything pierceth or toucheth my heart.

From John Knox by Innes, A. Taylor

"Yet bethink thee, reverend father," said Mont-Fitchet, "the stain hath become engrained by time and consuetude; let thy reformation be cautious, as it is just and wise."

From Ivanhoe by Scott, Walter, Sir

I remember myself so to have done, and that is my common consuetude when anything pierceth or toucheth my heart.

From The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 3 (of 25) by Stevenson, Robert Louis