To set to 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]