work

2. n. 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. Source: opted

3. n. 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. Source: opted

4. n. 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. Source: opted

5. n. 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. Source: opted

6. n. The moving parts of a mechanism; as, the works of a watch. Source: opted

7. n. Manner of working; management; treatment; as, unskillful work spoiled the effect. Source: opted

8. n. 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. Source: opted

9. n. Ore before it is dressed. Source: opted

10. n. Performance of moral duties; righteous conduct. Source: opted

11. n. To exert one's self for a purpose; to put forth effort for the attainment of an object; to labor; to be engaged in the performance of a task, a duty, or the like. Source: opted

12. n. Hence, in a general sense, to operate; to act; to perform; as, a machine works well. Source: opted

13. n. Hence, figuratively, to be effective; to have effect or influence; to conduce. Source: opted

14. n. To carry on business; to be engaged or employed customarily; to perform the part of a laborer; to labor; to toil. Source: opted

15. n. To be in a state of severe exertion, or as if in such a state; to be tossed or agitated; to move heavily; to strain; to labor; as, a ship works in a heavy sea. Source: opted

16. n. To make one's way slowly and with difficulty; to move or penetrate laboriously; to proceed with effort; -- with a following preposition, as down, out, into, up, through, and the like; as, scheme works out by degrees; to work into the earth. Source: opted

17. n. To ferment, as a liquid. Source: opted

18. n. To act or operate on the stomach and bowels, as a cathartic. Source: opted

19. v. t. To labor or operate upon; to give exertion and effort to; to prepare for use, or to utilize, by labor. Source: opted

20. v. t. To produce or form by labor; to bring forth by exertion or toil; to accomplish; to originate; to effect; as, to work wood or iron into a form desired, or into a utensil; to work cotton or wool into cloth. Source: opted

21. v. t. To produce by slow degrees, or as if laboriously; to bring gradually into any state by action or motion. Source: opted

22. v. t. To influence by acting upon; to prevail upon; to manage; to lead. Source: opted

23. v. t. To form with a needle and thread or yarn; especially, to embroider; as, to work muslin. Source: opted

24. v. t. To set in motion or action; to direct the action of; to keep at work; to govern; to manage; as, to work a machine. Source: opted

25. v. t. To cause to ferment, as liquor. Source: opted

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