- To set on work
- Work Work (w[^u]rk), n. [OE. work, werk, weorc, AS. weorc,
worc; akin to OFries. werk, wirk, OS., D., & G. werk, OHG.
werc, werah, Icel. & Sw. verk, Dan. v[ae]rk, Goth.
gawa['u]rki, Gr. 'e`rgon, [digamma]e`rgon, work, "re`zein to
do, 'o`rganon an instrument, 'o`rgia secret rites, Zend verez
to work. [root]145. Cf. {Bulwark}, {Energy}, {Erg},
{Georgic}, {Liturgy}, {Metallurgy}, {Organ}, {Orgy},
{Surgeon}, {Wright}.]
[1913 Webster]
1. Exertion of strength or faculties; physical or
intellectual effort directed to an end; industrial
activity; toil; employment; sometimes, specifically,
physical labor.
[1913 Webster]
Man hath his daily work of body or mind Appointed. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
2. The matter on which one is at work; that upon which one spends labor; material for working upon; subject of exertion; the thing occupying one; business; duty; as, to take up one's work; to drop one's work. [1913 Webster]
Come on, Nerissa; I have work in hand That you yet know not of. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
In every work that he began . . . he did it with all his heart, and prospered. --2 Chron. xxxi. 21. [1913 Webster]
3. That which is produced as the result of labor; anything accomplished by exertion or toil; product; performance; fabric; manufacture; in a more general sense, act, deed, service, effect, result, achievement, feat. [1913 Webster]
To leave no rubs or blotches in the work. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
The work some praise, And some the architect. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
Fancy . . . Wild work produces oft, and most in dreams. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
The composition or dissolution of mixed bodies . . . is the chief work of elements. --Sir K. Digby. [1913 Webster]
4. Specifically: (a) That which is produced by mental labor; a composition; a book; as, a work, or the works, of Addison. (b) Flowers, figures, or the like, wrought with the needle; embroidery. [1913 Webster]
I am glad I have found this napkin; . . . I'll have the work ta'en out, And give 't Iago. --Shak. [1913 Webster] (c) pl. Structures in civil, military, or naval engineering, as docks, bridges, embankments, trenches, fortifications, and the like; also, the structures and grounds of a manufacturing establishment; as, iron works; locomotive works; gas works. (d) pl. The moving parts of a mechanism; as, the works of a watch. [1913 Webster]
5. Manner of working; management; treatment; as, unskillful work spoiled the effect. --Bp. Stillingfleet. [1913 Webster]
6. (Mech.) The causing of motion against a resisting force. The amount of work is proportioned to, and is measured by, the product of the force into the amount of motion along the direction of the force. See {Conservation of energy}, under {Conservation}, {Unit of work}, under {Unit}, also {Foot pound}, {Horse power}, {Poundal}, and {Erg}. [1913 Webster]
Energy is the capacity of doing work . . . Work is the transference of energy from one system to another. --Clerk Maxwell. [1913 Webster]
7. (Mining) Ore before it is dressed. --Raymond. [1913 Webster]
8. pl. (Script.) Performance of moral duties; righteous conduct. [1913 Webster]
He shall reward every man according to his works. --Matt. xvi. 27. [1913 Webster]
Faith, if it hath not works, is dead. --James ii. 17. [1913 Webster]
9. (Cricket) Break; twist. [Cant] [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
10. (Mech.) The causing of motion against a resisting force, measured by the product of the force into the component of the motion resolved along the direction of the force.
Energy is the capacity of doing work. . . . Work is the transference of energy from one system to another. --Clerk Maxwell. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
11. (Mining) Ore before it is dressed. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
{Muscular work} (Physiol.), the work done by a muscle through the power of contraction.
{To go to work}, to begin laboring; to commence operations; to contrive; to manage. ``I 'll go another way to work with him.'' --Shak.
{To set on work}, to cause to begin laboring; to set to work. [Obs.] --Hooker.
{To set to work}, to employ; to cause to engage in any business or labor. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.