n.
 (pl. utilities)
   - the state of being useful, profitable, or beneficial. 
▸(in game theory or economics) the value of that which is sought to be maximized in any situation involving a choice.
 - a public utility.
 - Computing  a utility program.
 
adj.
  - useful, especially through having several functions.
 - functional rather than attractive.
 
 
  Etymology
  ME: from OFr. utilite, from L. utilitas, from utilis ‘useful’.