- Wage
- Wage Wage, n. [OF. wage, gage, guarantee, engagement. See
{Wage}, v. t. ]
[1913 Webster]
1. That which is staked or ventured; that for which one
incurs risk or danger; prize; gage. [Obs.] ``That warlike
wage.'' --Spenser.
[1913 Webster]
2. That for which one labors; meed; reward; stipulated payment for service performed; hire; pay; compensation; -- at present generally used in the plural. See {Wages}. ``My day's wage.'' --Sir W. Scott. ``At least I earned my wage.'' --Thackeray. ``Pay them a wage in advance.'' --J. Morley. ``The wages of virtue.'' --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]
By Tom Thumb, a fairy page, He sent it, and doth him engage, By promise of a mighty wage, It secretly to carry. --Drayton. [1913 Webster]
Our praises are our wages. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
Existing legislation on the subject of wages. --Encyc. Brit. [1913 Webster]
Note: Wage is used adjectively and as the first part of compounds which are usually self-explaining; as, wage worker, or wage-worker; wage-earner, etc. [1913 Webster]
{Board wages}. See under 1st {Board}. [1913 Webster]
Syn: Hire; reward; stipend; salary; allowance; pay; compensation; remuneration; fruit. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.