usus

Usus is a Latin noun meaning use, practice, or customary use. In legal and historical contexts, it denotes a right to use something that belongs to another person, without transferring ownership. The term is most often encountered in discussions of Roman law and civil-law traditions, where it is part of a larger system of property rights.

In Roman law, usus was a real right that allowed a person to use another’s property in a limited way, but it did not confer ownership or the right to dispose of the property. Usus could be restricted to personal use and, by itself, did not ordinarily include the right to derive the property’s fruits unless specified. The broader concept of usufruct combines usus with fructus (the fruits or proceeds) to create the right to use the property and enjoy its benefits; the complete right is commonly called ususfructus. Related roman rights include habitatio, the right to habitation, and the more expansive usufruct.

In modern civil-law jurisdictions, usus remains a recognized real right in many systems. It permits the holder to use property for a defined purpose and period, without ownership or the right to alienate the property. Usus is typically created by contract, will, or statute and is distinguished from usufruct, which also authorizes the collection of fruits or proceeds. The scope and transferability of usus vary by jurisdiction, as do termination rules (for example, expiration of time, revocation by the grantor, or destruction of the property).

See also: Usufruct, Usucapio, Habitatio.