The word 使用 is formed through the combination of two independent characters, each contributing its core meaning to create a new, composite concept. The first character, 使, carries the sense of "to cause" or "to employ", implying the act of putting something into service or motion. The second character, 用, means "to use" or "for a purpose". When joined, they merge into a single verb where the meanings reinforce and specify each other, effectively conveying the idea of "to put to use" or "to utilize", with the combined force of both employing and applying something for a function.