Work sb.

Forms: α. 1–3 weorc, 2–4 weork(e, (3 Orm. weorrc, weorrk-). β. 1–4 werc, (3 wærc, wærk, Orm. werrc), 3–6 werk(e, (4 -cke, -kke, 5 wherk, 6 Sc. verk); Sc. and north. 4 warc(ke, vark, 4–7 warke, 4– wark. γ. 1 wyrc, 1–2 wurc, 3 wurck, wurk, (5 wrke); 4 wirke. δ. 1–3 worc, 3–7 worke, (3, 6 worck, 4 vorke, 6 woorke, wourke, 6–7 worcke), 6– work, ε. 2–3 werch, 3, 5–6 worch(e, wurch, 9 dial. wurtch; 3, 7– warch (see WARK sb.¹). [OE. weorc = OFris., OS., (M)LG., (M)Du. werk, OHG. werah, werc (MHG. werch, werc, G. werk), ON. verk (Sw., Da. verk):—OTeut. *werkom (see WORK v.); cognate are Gr. ἔργον, Arm. gorc, Zend varəza- activity. Forms γ and ε show partial assimilation to the forms of WORK v.; see also WARK, WARCH sb.¹ (in a specialized sense).]

  I.  1. Something that is or was done; what a person does or did; an act, deed, proceeding, business; in pl. actions, doings (often collectively = 3). arch. or literary in gen. sense.

  sing.  971.  Blickl. Hom., 47. Þis weorc biþ deoflum se mæsta teona.

c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., Matt. xxvi. 10. God weorc heo worhte on me.

c. 1000.  Ælfric, Hom., I. 318. Þæt weorc wæs begunnen onʓean Godes willan.

c. 1205.  Lay., 2574. Menbriz dude an vuel weorc.

c. 1230.  Hali Meid. (1922), 25. Halden ham i reste fram þat fleschliche werc.

1338.  R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 80. Or it wer alle ent þe werke þat þei did wirke.

c. 1400.  Rule St. Benet (verse), 446. Chaistese þam … Efter þe wark þat þai haue wroght.

1450–1530.  Myrr. our Ladye, III. 310. Whyle god fulfylleth thys daye the worke of nature.

c. 1470.  Henry, Wallace, I. 434. Quhen Wallas thus this worthi werk had wrocht.

a. 1529.  Skelton, P. Sparowe, 569. The kestrell in all this warke Shall be holy water clarke.

a. 1548.  Hall, Chron., Edw. IV., 207 b. Se the worke of God,… ther rose suche a sodain wynde and a terrible tempest.

1595.  Shaks., John, IV. iii. 57. It is a damned, and a bloody worke.

1599.  Peele, David & Bethsabe, E ij b. Is not the hand of Ioab in this worke?

1613.  Purchas, Pilgrimage, III. xv. 272. A people of that beastly disposition, that they performed the most secret worke of Nature in publike view.

1679.  South, Serm., Prov. iii. 17 (1697), I. 28. After a long fatigue of Eating, and Drinking, and Babling, he concludes the great work of Dining Gentilely.

1848.  Thackeray, Van. Fair, lxvii. For almost the last time in which she shall be called upon to weep in this history, she commenced that work.

1859.  H. Kingsley, G. Hamlyn, viii. All this doctor’s stuff is no use, unless you can say a charm as will undo her devil’s work.

  pl.  Beowulf, 289. Ʒescad witan worda and worca.

c. 897.  K. Ælfred, Gregory’s Past. C., xxxii. 210. Ʒif we hie myndʓiað hiera godna weorca.

c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., Matt. xxiii. 3. Ne do ʓe na æfter heora worcum; Hiʓ secgeað & ne doð.

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 145. Alle we beoð in monifald wawe … hwat for ure eldere werkes, hwat for ure aȝene gultes.

c. 1250.  Hymn, 16, in Trin. Coll. Hom., App. 257. Þat ic non þing mid unricht Wurche þe werches þe beoð towilde.

c. 1250.  Prayer to our Lady, 29, in O. E. Misc., 193. Ich habbe isuneȝet mid wurken and midd muðe.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 1983. Wit lele werks lok ȝee dele.

1362.  Langl., P. Pl., A. Prol. 3. In Habite of an Hermite vn-holy of werkes.

1471.  Caxton, Recuyell (Sommer), 19. She was … wyse in her werkes honeste in conuersacion & flowryng in alle vertuys.

1526.  Tindale, Matt. xi. 2. When Jhon beinge in preson herde the workes of Christ.

1560.  Bible (Genev.), Isa. lix. 6. Their workes are workes of iniquitie.

1613.  Purchas, Pilgrimage, I. viii. 119. Hypocrisie loues her workes should be seene, but not her humour.

a. 1763.  Shenstone, Ess., xxxi. Wks. 1765, II. 223. A Deity, whose very words are works, and all whose works are wonders.

a. 1863.  Whately, Chr. Evid., v. The works performed by Jesus and His disciples were beyond the unassisted powers of man.

  b.  Theol. (pl.) Moral actions considered in relation to justification: usually as contrasted with faith or grace. Rarely in sing. (See also 32.)

  Covenant of Works: see COVENANT sb. 8 a.

1362.  Langl., P. Pl., A. XI. 268. Ȝif I shal werke be here werkis to wynne me heuene,… Þanne wrouȝte I vnwisly.

1382.  Wyclif, Eph. ii. 9. By grace ȝe ben saued bi feith,… it is the ȝifte of God, not of werkis, that no man glorie.

c. 1480.  Henryson, Fox, Wolf & Husb., 207. Warkis that fra ferme faith proceidis.

1526.  Tindale, Rom. xi. 6. Yff hit be of grace then is it not by the deservynge of workes [1611 then is it no more of workes].

1533.  Gau, Richt Vay (S.T.S.), 107. Faith causis hime to virk throw Iwiff godlie and chrissine varkis.

1625.  Mountagu, App. Cæsar., 164. The person with God must be made acceptable … before any work of his become approveable.

1635.  D. Dickson, Hebr. vii. 19. 131. To seeke to bee … justified and saved, by workes, is to seeke that by the Lawe, which could never bee brought to passe, by it.

  c.  Qualified by phr. with of expressing the moral quality of the action, as a work or works of charity, of darkness, of mercy, etc.

c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 11. Ðe werc of þesternesse þat ben alle heuie sennen.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 19764. Cristen sco was and euer fus Abute all werkes of almus.

1340–1824.  [see MERCY sb. 7].

c. 1380.  Wyclif, Sel. Wks., II. 25. It is werk of mercy to birie dede men.

c. 1440.  Gesta Rom., 341. It was a werke of charitee.

1526.  Tindale, Eph. v. 11. Have no fellishippe with the vnfrutfull workes of dercknes.

1560.  Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 18. Amonges other workes of Charitie … we shoulde … comforte the sicke.

1703.  Earl Orrery, As you find it, V. ii. 63. I have another Work of Charity upon my hands,… to reform an extravagant Husband.

1816.  J. Wilson, City of Plague, III. ii. Even in her dreams Her soul is at some work of charity.

  d.  The work of...: a proceeding occupying (a stated length of time). So a work of time: a proceeding that takes a long time.

1605.  Bacon, Adv. Learn., I. vi. § 2. The confused mass and matter of heaven and earth was made in a moment; and the … disposition of that chaos or mass was the work of six days.

1813.  Scott, Rokeby, II. xxi. To wrench the sword from Wilfrid’s hand … Was but one moment’s work. Ibid. (1818), Hrt. Midl., li. They had now only to double a small head-land…; but in the state of the weather, and the boat being heavy, this was like to be a work of time. Ibid. (1819), Ivanhoe, xxxi.

1834.  Marryat, Peter Simple, xxxiii. All this was … but the work of a few minutes.

1906.  Alice Werner, Natives Brit. Central Africa, vi. 136. Once the water has been brought to the boil, which, with a large jar and a small fire, is apt to be a work of time.

  e.  spec. (see quots.).

1869.  P. Landreth, Life Adam Thomson, i. 43. The services on such an occasion [sc. the communion] were … emphatically designated by devout people ‘the work.’

1887.  W. S. S. Tyrwhitt, New Chum in Queensland Bush, viii. 147. I have found the Cape rifle … a very useful gun for Queensland work [i.e., kangaroo shooting].

1888.  Bryce, Amer. Commw., lvii. II. 395. The ‘work’ of politics means in America the business of winning nominations … and elections.

  2.  Something to be done, or something to do; what a person (or thing) has or had to do; occupation, employment, business, task, function.

  Often only contextually distinguishable from 1; in later use viewed as a fig. or extended application of 4 or 5.

c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., Mark xiii. 34. Se man [þe] … sealde his þeowum þæne anwald ʓehwylces weorces.

c. 1200.  Ormin, 1833. Whatt weorrc himm iss þurrh Drihhtin sett To forþenn her onn eorþe.

c. 1489.  Caxton, Blanchardyn, x. 40. The werke that he hath vndertaken.

1596.  Shaks., 1 Hen. IV., II. iv. 118. Fie vpon this quiet life, I want worke. Ibid. (1602), Ham., V. ii. 333. The point envenom’d too, Then venome to thy worke.

1611.  Cotgr., s.v. Ouvrage, Euerie bodies worke is no bodies worke.

1643.  Burroughes, Exp. 1st 3 ch. Hosea, ix. (1652), 302. It is not my worke to handle the point of the Sabbath-day or Lords-day now.

1786.  Burns, Twa Dogs, 206. Gentlemen, and Ladies … Wi’ ev’n down want o’ wark are curst.

1852.  Mrs. Stowe, Uncle Tom’s C., xxviii. 259. The Lord has a work for mas’r.

1862.  Ruskin, Unto this Last, iv. § 82. The desert has its appointed place and work.

1865.  Trollope, Belton Est., i. 9. To fight the devil was her work,—was the appointed work of every living soul.

  b.  Cricket, Rowing, etc. What a batsman, an oarsman, etc., has to do, esp. with reference to the points at which his force is to be applied.

1851.  Pycroft, Cricket Field, vii. 117. Be sure you stand up to your work, or close to your block-hole.

1856.  ‘Stonehenge,’ Brit. Rural Sports, II. VIII. iii. § 2. 476/1. He [sc. a rower] sits quite square to his work.

1925.  G. C. Bourne, Oarsmanship, 32. Those theorists who would have us place oarsmen some three to six inches away from their work.

  3.  † a. Action (of a person) in general; doings, deeds; conduct. (Often conjoined with word.) Obs.

971.  [see WORD sb. 4].

a. 1200.  Moral Ode, 103, in O. E. Hom., I. 167. His aȝen werch and his þonc te witnesse he scal demen.

c. 1200.  Ormin, 5426. Whase maȝȝ wiþþ word & weorrc Her fillenn Godess wille.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 8696. Bath warr and wis in all his werc.

c. 1400.  Rule St. Benet (prose), 3. Wha sam heris my word and do it in werke.

c. 1470.  Golagros & Gaw., 1244. Ilkane be werk and be will Is worth his rewarde.

1533.  Gau, Richt Vay (S.T.S.), 9. Inuertlie in thair hart and outuertlie in thair word and wark.

1564–78.  Bullein, Dial. agst. Pest. (1888), 34. The euill [man], whose woorke is either dronkennesse, adulterie, thefte.

1581.  Satir. Poems Reform., xliv. 15. Maisters of ane euil steik of vark Sould ay detest the godlie, vpricht lyf.

1609.  Bible (Douay), Deut. v. 1. Heare Israel the ceremonies & judgements … and fulfil them in worke.

  b.  Action (of a person or thing) of a particular kind; † doing, performance; working, operation. In various connections; of a thing, often in reference to result; to do its work, to produce its effect (cf. 9 b).

c. 1440.  Gesta Rom., 4. In werke of ony goode dede.

c. 1449.  Pecock, Repr., I. xvi. 89. If the maner of outring which is sauory in a sermonyog schulde be sett … in the office of scole prouyng … al the werk ther of schulde be the vnsaueryer and the vnspedier.

1480.  Cely Papers (Camden), 58. Hys howsse … schall come to be pluckyd schorttly down or elles burnyd for the schortter warke.

a. 1635.  Sibbes, Confer. Christ & Mary (1656), 92. The work of God’s spirit in his children, is like fire.

1644.  Digby, Nat. Bodies, v. 36. The composition or dissolution of mixed bodies … is the chiefe worke of Elements, and requireth an intime application of the Agents.

1731.  Art of Drawing & Paint., 23. When the Spirit of Wine has done its Work, it must be pour’d off.

1763.  Museum Rust., I. 348. It will be so steady that no unevenness of the ground will be able to throw it out of its work, as a clod or stone will a common harrow.

1819.  Byron, Juan, II. cii. Famine, despair, cold, thirst, and heat, had done Their work on them by turns.

1837.  Dickens, Pickw., iii. The brandy-and-water had done its work.

  c.  Cricket. Deflection of the ball after touching the ground, resulting from the spin or twist imparted to it by the bowler.

1846.  W. Denison, Sk. Players, 12. His delivery is from over the wicket, so there is … scarcely any ‘work’ from it.

1882.  Evening News, 2 Sept., 1/6. The amount of work the bowlers could get on the ball.

  4.  Action involving effort or exertion directed to a definite end, esp. as a means of gaining one’s livelihood; labor, toil; (one’s) regular occupation or employment.

c. 825.  Vesp. Psalter, ciii. 23. Utgaeð mon to werce his.

c. 1000.  Ælfric, Exod. xx. 9. Wyrc six daʓas ealle ðine weorc.

c. 1000.  Rule of Chrodegang, xiv. Niht wæs ʓeworht to reste ealswa dæʓ to worce.

c. 1290.  S. Eng. Leg., 61/248. An Asse … is i-harled here and þere and to file weorke i-do.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 5870. Þar … ned-wais suld þai Do tua dais werkes on a dai. Ibid., 21528. Of he kest al to his serk, To mak him nemel til his werk.

c. 1400.  Maundev. (1839), xxvi. 265. Thorghe werk of his men.

1557–8.  in Feuillerat, Revels Q. Mary (1914), 236. Doinge certen Iobbes of woorke.

1611.  R. Fenton, Usurie, 29. A dayes worke is valuable at a certaine price.

1665.  Phil. Trans., I. 88. In Carpentry and Joyners work.

1667.  Milton, P. L., IV. 618. Man hath his daily work of body or mind Appointed.

1783.  Jrnl. Ho. Comm., XLVII. 372/1. To leave off Work perhaps Half an Hour before Bell Ringing.

1840.  Dickens, Old C. Shop, xxxiv. I do all the work of the house.

1866.  Ruskin, Crown Wild Olive, i. 40. There must be work done by the arms, or none of us could live. There must be work done by the brains, or the life we get would not be worth having.

1871.  Smiles, Charac., iv. (1876), 98. Work—employment, useful occupation—is one of the great secrets of happiness.

1895.  Manch. Guardian, 14 Oct., 5/6. Half the workmen employed are Italians, who are said to do four times as much work as the Bulgarians.

1914.  ‘Ian Hay,’ Knt. on Wheels, xiii. § 3. Philip was a glutton for work.

  b.  Used gen. in reference to any action requiring effort or difficult to do. Often with epithet.

1518.  Star Chamber Cases (Selden Soc.), II. 141. I had as myche worck as I cowde by ony meanys to pacyffye theyme.

1626.  Bacon, New Atl., 20. Wee had Worke enough to get any of our Men to looke to our Shipp.

1806–7.  J. Beresford, Miseries Hum. Life (1826), ii. 8. Walking obliquely up a steep hill when the ground is what the vulgar call greasy. Sad work!

1832.  Ht. Martineau, Life in Wilds, vi. 76. It … was weary work with any tool but the hatchet.

1864.  Browning, Rabbi Ben Ezra, xviii. Here, work enough to watch The Master work, and catch Hints of the proper craft.

1902.  J. Buchan, Watcher by Threshold, 127. It was hard work rowing, for the wind was against him.

  c.  spec. The labor done in making something, as distinguished from the material used (in reference to the cost); WORKMANSHIP 1.

1737.  W. Salmon, Country Builder’s Estimator (ed. 2), 25. Steps of common Stairs,… of Oak, 8d. per Foot; the Work only 1d.¹/₂ per Foot. Ibid., 26. Whole Deal-Doors … are allowed, work and half work, or double work, if of two-inch Stuff, in consideration of their being wrought on both sides.

  d.  Exercise or practice in a sport or game; also, exertion or movement proper to a particular sport, game or exercise.

1856.  ‘Stonehenge,’ Brit. Sports, I. III. vi. § 2. 194. On all occasions after the day’s work, the frictioning must be had recourse to.

1874.  Kennel Club Stud Bk., 761. Lilly then made a good point, and the other backed very well, these two doing the prettiest work seen as yet.

1877.  [see WORKER 2].

1882.  Society, 7 Oct., 23/1. As a man he has done extraordinary work at long-jumping, sprinting, and hurdle-racing.

1895.  foot work [see FOOT sb. 35].

  5.  A particular act or piece of labor; a task, job. Also gen. something difficult to do, a ‘hard task’ (cf. 4 b); or in special connections, e.g., a particular operation in some manufacture. Obs. exc. Hist.

c. 960.  Æthelwold, Rule St. Benet (Schröer, 1885), 65. Ʒif hy ut an æcere wurc [v.r. weorc] habben [L. si opera in agris habuerint].

c. 1205.  Lay., 8709. An are nihte firste þat worc [c. 1275 worch] wes iforðed.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 5527. Wit herd werckes þai heild þam in.

13[?].  E. E. Allit. P., B. 136. A þral … vnþryuandely cloþed, Ne no festiual frok, bot fyled with werkkez.

1382.  Wyclif, Gen. iv. 22. Alle werkis of bras and of yrun.

c. 1450.  Godstow Reg., 318. He ought to mowe the ladies corne ix. daies…, without other werkes that he shold do.

1513.  Douglas, Æneis, VIII. v. heading, In loving of the douchty Hercules The pepill singis his werkis.

c. 1520.  Skelton, Magnyf., 1095. Cockys armys! this is a warke, I trowe.

1580.  G. Harvey, Lett. to Spenser, Poet. Wks. (1912), 627/2. Vnlesse ye might … haue your meate, and drinke for your dayes workes.

1819.  Rees, Cycl., s.v. Foundery, The ear of the bell requires a separate work, which is done during the drying of the cement.

1894.  Maitland, in Engl. Hist. Rev., IX. 419. At the beginning of the fourteenth century we see that some of the ‘works’ were done in kind, while others were ‘sold to the homage.’

  † b.  In early use applied spec. (in sing. or pl.) to the building or repair of a church. Obs.

  Cf. Beowulf, 74; Crist, 3.

1387.  E. E. Wills (1882), 1. To the werkes of our lady of Abbechirch xx s.

1398.  Munim. de Melros (Bann.), 490. I … sal paye ilke wowke … halfe a marc … to þair new werke of Melros.

1428.  E. E. Wills (1882), 81. Y be-quethe to the wherk of the Ill of the toon side of the Cloistere … vj s viij d.

1482.  in Charters &c. Edin. (1871), 169. Of ilk schip in generale of gudis ii bollis … to sanct Gelis werk.

  6.  a. Trouble, affliction; in later use in lighter sense: Disturbance, fuss, ‘ferment.’ (See also 31.) b. Pain, ache: see WARK sb.¹ dial.

a. 900.  Cynewulf, Juliana, 569. Þæt þam weliʓan wæs weorc to þolianne.

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 9207. Holichirche He bigan to worri & made him þe worse wurche.

1473.  Paston Lett., III. 92. He seyde that thys troble sholde begyn in Maye,… that the Scotts sholde make us werke.

1676.  Earl of Anglesey, in Essex Papers (Camden), 71. Philipsburgh and Mastrick are sore pressed, and there is hot worke at both.

1717.  Prior, Alma, III. 250. Tokay and Coffee cause this Work, Between the German and the Turk.

1848.  Mrs. Gaskell, Mary Barton, ii. This work about Esther, and not knowing where she is, lies so heavy on my heart.

1896.  Warwicksh. Gloss., s.v., There’ll be nice work over this broken window.

  7.  Math. The process of or an operation in calculation; a process of calculation written out in full; = WORKING vbl. sb. 7, 7 b. Now rare or Obs.

1557.  Recorde, Whetst., Cc ij. The totalle will bei (as here in worke appeareth) 335016.

1623.  J. Johnson, Arith., I. C 1. The proofe of Addition is made by Subtraction; for if you subtract the numbers which you added from the totall of the Addition, there will remaine nothing, if the worke be truly done.

a. 1675.  Cocker, Arith. (1688), 249. Reduce a fraction to its lowest terms at the first Work. Ibid., 270. Quest. 6. What is the Quote of 8 divided by ³/₅? Answ. ⁴⁰/₃ which is equal to 13¹/₃…. See the work in the margent.

1709.  J. Ward, Introd. Math. (1734), 19. Take a few Examples without their Work at large.

1839.  Maynard, Goodacre’s Arith. (ed. 9), 37. When … the remainder is more than the divisor, the quotient figure was too small, the work must be rubbed out, and a larger number supplied.

  8.  Physics and Mech. The operation of a force in producing movement or other physical change, esp. as a definitely measurable quantity: see quots.

1855.  Rankine, Misc. Sci. Papers (1881), 216. ‘Work’ is the variation of an accident by an effort, and is a term comprehending all phenomena in which physical change takes place. Quantity of work is measured by the product of the variation of the passive accident by the magnitude of the effort, when this is constant; or by the integral of the effort, with respect to the passive accident, when the effort is variable.

1873.  Maxwell, Electr. & Magn. (1881), I. 5. The unit of Work is the work done by the unit of force acting through the unit of length measured in its own direction.

1877.  Atkinson, trans. Ganot’s Physics (ed. 8), 42. When a force produces acceleration, or when it maintains motion unchanged in opposition to resistance, it is said to do work.

1879.  Thomson & Tait, Nat. Phil., I. I. § 238. In lifting coals from a pit, the amount of work done is proportional to the weight of the coals lifted; that is, to the force overcome in raising them; and also to the height through which they are raised.

  II.  9. With possessive: The product of the operation or labor of a person or other agent; the thing made, or things made collectively; creation, handiwork. Also vaguely, the result of one’s labor, something accomplished.

c. 825.  Vesp. Psalter, viii. 7. Ʒesettes hine ofer were honda ðinra. Ibid., cxliv. 10. Ondettað ðe, dryhten, all werc ðin.

c. 888.  Ælfred, Boeth., v. § 3. Ic wat ðætte God rihtere is his aʓenes weorces.

971.  Blickl. Hom., 207. Wæs þæt ilce hus eac hwem draʓen, nalas æfter ʓewunan mennisces weorces þæt þa waʓas wæron rihte.

1382.  Wyclif, 2 Chron. xx. 37. For thou haddist couenaunt of pese with Ochosia, the Lord smote thi werkes. Ibid., Jer. i. 16. Hem, that … offreden to aliene goddis, and honoureden the werc of ther hondis.

c. 1400.  26 Pol. Poems, xxiv. 236. Lord, þou shalt clepe me, And I shal answere to þe, werk of þyn hande.

1535.  Coverdale, Isa. lxiv. 8. We all are the worke of thy hondes.

1551.  Robinson, trans. More’s Utopia, II. (1895), 156. Thether the workes of euery familie be brought.

a. 1593.  Marlowe & Nashe, Dido, III. ii. Ile make the Clowdes dissolue their watrie workes.

1667.  Milton, P. L., III. 59. The Almighty Father … bent down his eye, His own works and their works at once to view.

1697.  Dryden, Virg. Georg., IV. 809. The waxen Work of lab’ring Bees.

1773.  Monboddo, Lang. (1774), I. Pref. 1. Man in his natural state is the work of God.

1843.  Carlyle, Past & Pr., III. iv. And now thy work, where is thy work? Swift, out with it; let us see thy work!

1847.  Tennyson, Princess, III. 281. Dare we dream of that … Which wrought us, as the workman and his work, That practice betters?

1875.  Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), III. 298. Workmen and also their works are alike apt to degenerate.

1890.  Kipling, Departm. Ditties, etc. (ed. 4), 102. Mine’s work, good work that lives!

  b.  The result of the action or operation of some person or thing; ‘effect, consequence of agency’ (J.); (one’s) ‘doing’; the device or invention of some one.

1382.  Wyclif, Isa. xxxii. 17. Ther shal be the werk of riȝtwisnesse pes.

1604.  Shaks., Oth., V. ii. 364. Looke on the Tragicke Loading of this bed: This is thy worke.

1667.  Milton, P. L., V. 112. Mimic Fansie … misjoyning shapes, Wilde work produces oft, and most in dreams.

1707.  Curios. in Husb. & Gard., 35. This wonderful Œconomy for the Propagation … of Animals can not be the Work of the fortuitous meeting of Atoms.

1753.  Challoner, Cath. Chr. Instr., 171. Other Hereticks … condemned Marriage as the work of the Devil.

1818.  Scott, Br. Lamm., iv. What has been between us has been the work of the law, not my doing.

1859.  G. Meredith, R. Feverel, xxiii. This suggestion, the work of the pipe.

  10.  Without possessive: A thing made; a manufactured article or object; a structure or apparatus of some kind, esp. one forming part of a larger thing. Now chiefly in generalized sense with qualification, esp. in established compounds such as BRICKWORK, FIREWORK, FRAMEWORK, LATTICE-WORK, WAX-WORK.

c. 825.  Epinal Gloss., 699. Opere plumario, bisiuuidi uuerci.

1382.  Wyclif, Isa. xxix. 16. As if … the werk sey to his makere, Thou hast not mad me.

c. 1470.  Henry, Wallace, V. 1135. Tre wark thai brynt, that was in to tha wanys.

1535.  Coverdale, Ezek. i. 15. I sawe a worke off wheles vpon the earth.

1591.  Raleigh, Last Fight of Revenge (Arb.), 21. All her tackle cut a sunder, her vpper worke altogither rased.

1598.  Barret, Theor. Mod. Warres, 134. Eight men who haue in their charge the iron workes, cables, anchors, and grappling.

1621.  Abridgm. Specif. Patents, Iron & Steel (1858), 1. The misterie and arte of meltinge iron ewre, and of making the same into cast workes or barrs.

1697.  Dryden, Æneis, VIII. 825. The radiant Arms beneath an Oak she plac’d…. He rowl’d his greedy sight Around the Work.

1706.  Phillips, Pastry, Work made of Paste or Dough.

1805.  T. Lindley, Voy. Brazil, 45. A long arched vault, with a plank work on one side.

1819.  Rees, Cycl., s.v. Foundery, Foundery of statues, great guns, and bells…. The matter of these large works is … commonly a mixture of several [metals].

  † 11.  An architectural or engineering structure, as a house, bridge, pier, etc.; a building, edifice.

a. 900.  Cynewulf, Crist, 3. Se weallstan þe ða wyrhtan iu wiðwurpon to weorce.

c. 1000.  Ælfric, Hom., I. 368. Se ðe ne bytlað of ðam grundwealle, his weorc hryst to micclum lyre.

1076–85.  Westm. Abbey Domesday Book, lf. 463. De quadam mansione terre apud London quam Anglica lingua ‘Vuerc’ appellant.

c. 1205.  Lay., 16951. He lette bulden halles & rihte al þa workes þe ær weore to-brosene.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 8780. Þe wrightes þat suld rais þe werck.

c. 1375.  Sc. Leg. Saints, i. (Petrus), 14. Þu art petir, at is, oure stane, to byg myn wark one haff I tane.

c. 1450.  Merlin, ii. 27. The mountayne that the werke was sette on gan to tremble.

1540.  Palsgr., Acolastus, II. i. I iij b. This warke that is in buyldynge.

1660.  M. Carter, Honor Rediv., 248. Gresham Colledge…. This famous work and most worthy Colledge.

1667.  Milton, P. L., I. 731. The work some praise And some the Architect.

  b.  pl. Architectural or engineering operations. Clerk of the Works, Master of the Works: see CLERK sb. 6 c, MASTER sb.¹ 18 a.

a. 1700.  Evelyn, Diary, 12 Sept. 1641. The New Citidall was advancing with innumerable hands,… I was permitted to walk the round and view the workes.

1907.  J. H. Patterson, Man-Eaters of Tsavo, vi. 66. I had works in progress all up and down the line.

  12.  spec. (Mil.) A fortified building, fortress, fort; a defensive structure, fortification; any one of the several parts of such a structure (often in pl.). Also as second element of a compound, as earthwork, field-work, hornwork, outwork, etc.

  The continental equivalent is found in BULWARK.

a. 1000.  Daniel, 44. To ceastre … þær Israela æhta wæron bewriʓene mid weorcum.

c. 1470.  Henry, Wallace, XI. 19. Fortrace, and werk that was with out the toun, Thai brak, and brynt.

1560.  Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 137 b. He taketh Turrine,… and fortifieth it with workes and strength of men.

1604.  Shaks., Oth., III. ii. 3. I will be walking on the Workes. Ibid. (1613), Hen. VIII., V. iv. 61. I was faine to … let ’em win the Worke.

1669.  Staynred, Fortification, 4. There may be sometimes an occasion in Forts to raise Mounts, Cavaliers, Platforms, or Batteries, to command all the other Works.

1755.  R. Rogers, Jrnls. (1769), 6. I … sent out four men as spies, who … informed me, that the enemy had no works round them, but lay entirely open to an assault.

1826.  J. F. Cooper, Last of Mohicans, xv. Some six or eight thousand men … whom their leader wisely judges to be safer in their works than in the field.

1834–47.  J. S. Macaulay, Field Fortif. (1851), 87. If the ditches of a work can be filled with water, it is an excellent means of defence.

1879.  Tennyson, Defence of Lucknow, ii. Frail were the works that defended the hold that we held with our lives.

  13.  A literary or musical composition (viewed in relation to its author or composer); often pl. and collect. sing., (a person’s) writings or compositions as a whole.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 112. In hir wirschip wald I bigyn A lastand warc apon to myn.

c. 1375.  Sc. Leg. Saints, v. (Johannes), 524. Als tellis elynandus Of sancte Johnnis varkis, sayand þus, Quhene he suld þe ewangel wryte [etc.].

c. 1450.  Capgrave, Life St. Aug., Prol. 1. Than wil I, in þe name of our Lord Ihesu, beginne þis werk.

c. 1520.  Skelton, Garl. Laurel, 381. Plutarke and Petrarke … With Vincencius … that wrote noble warkis.

1525.  Extr. Aberd. Reg. (1844), I. 111. Ony bukys or verkys of the saide Lutheris.

1540–1.  Elyot, Image Gov., 41. He made also a newe lybrary, garnyshyng it … with most principall warkes in euery science.

1555.  Instit. Gentl., K vj b. Alexander Magnus … vsed alwayes to carrye wyth hym the woorkes of Homer.

1610.  Holland, Camden’s Brit., I. 681. When I was first writing this worke.

1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 124, ¶ 1. A Man who publishes his works in a Volume.

1837.  Dickens, Pickw., xv. The famous foreigner—gathering materials for his great work on England.

1848.  Thackeray, Van. Fair, i. A Johnson’s Dictionary—the interesting work which she invariably presented to her scholars on their departure.

1865.  Max Müller, Chips (1880), I. i. 18. This title distinguishes the Vedic hymns … from all other works.

1879.  Grove, Dict. Mus., I. 116/2. Bach wrote unceasingly in every form and branch, and the quantity of his works is enormous.

1885.  Manch. Exam., 11 Nov., 3/3. It bears a stronger resemblance to the work of ‘Ouida’ than to that of any other English writer.

1900.  W. P. Ker, Ess. Dryden, Introd. p. xix. The history of Corneille’s original work.

  14.  A product of any of the fine arts (in relation to the artist), as a painting, a statue, etc. In the phr. a work of art including, besides these, literary or musical works (13), and connoting high artistic quality. Also (without pl.), artistic production in the abstract, or artistic products collectively.

1531.  Elyot, Gov., I. viii. Pandenus, a counnyng painter,… required the craftis man to shewe him where he had the … paterne of so noble a warke.

1539.  Bible (Great), Ps. lxxiv. 6. They breake downe all y^e carued worcke therof.

1611.  Shaks., Wint. T., V. ii. 107. Her Mothers Statue … by that rare Italian Master, Iulio Romano, who (had he himselfe Eternitie, and could put Breath into his Worke) would beguile Nature of her Custome.

1611.  Cotgr., Ouvrage de Marqueterie, Checker-worke, or Inlaid worke, of sundrie colours.

a. 1721.  Prior, Dial., Locke & Montaigne, Wks. 1907, II. 243. Your Work is meer Grotesque, half images of Centaures and Sphynxes trailing into Flowers and branches.

1736.  T. Atkinson, Conf. Painter & Engraver, 16. If the Engraver … with masterly shading Touches improve the Work.

1853.  Dickens, Bleak Ho., vii. [The portrait] is considered a perfect likeness, and the best work of the master.

1877.  S. Redgrave, Descr. Catal. Water-Col., 22. Protect your drawings … from the utter destruction so many fine works have suffered from exposure to the direct rays of the sun.

1883.  C. D. Warner, in Atlantic Monthly, Jan., 86. The homage of rapt appreciation due to a great work of art.

1884.  W. C. Smith, Kildrostan, 43. The carved work mouldered fast ’Neath the suns, and the frosts.

  † 15.  Make, workmanship; esp. ornamental workmanship (phr. of work = ornamental). Obs.

1393.  Langl., P. Pl., C. I. 179. Colers of crafty werke.

c. 1400.  Maundev. (Roxb.), xi. 46. Ane ymage of stane of alde werk.

1424.  E. E. Wills (1882), 56. Too fyne borde-clothes, þe one of werk, þe oþer playn.

1474.  Caxton, Chesse, III. vii. (1883), 140. A gate of marble of meruayllous werke.

1529.  Cromwell, in Merriman, Life & Lett. (1902), I. 57. My best ioyned bed of Flaunders wourke.

1603.  in Gage, Hengrave (1822), 26. One large coobard carpett … of Turkeye work.

a. 1700.  Evelyn, Diary, 17 Nov. 1644. A rare clock of German worke. Ibid., 18 Jan. 1645. The walls … are incrusted with most precious marbles of various colours and workes.

1795.  Mrs. Cowley, Town before you, I. iii. 9. Why did I never tell you before that she is a sculptor? She has a large room full of fine things of her own work.

  b.  concr. An ornamental pattern or figure, ornament, ornamentation, decoration. Obs. or merged in other senses.

c. 1467.  Noble Bk. Cookry (1882), 52. Mak gret coffynes with lowe liddes … and lay on the liddes wild werks.

1547.  in Feuillerat, Revels Edw. VI. (1914), 11. Cootes … of clothe of golde with workes.

1622.  Mourt’s Relat. Engl. Plant., 12. Baskets … curiously wrought with blacke and white in pretie workes. Ibid., 38. Their faces … painted,… some with crosses, and other Antick workes.

a. 1700.  Evelyn, Diary, 23 March 1646. The bed was dress’d up with flowers, and the counterpan strewed in workes.

  16.  The operation of making a textile fabric or (more often) something consisting of such fabric, as weaving or (usually) sewing, knitting, or the like; esp. any of the lighter operations of this kind, as a distinctively feminine occupation; also concr. the fabric or the thing made of it, esp. while being made or operated upon; needlework, embroidery, or the like.

  See also DRAWN-WORK, FANCY WORK, LACE-WORK, OPEN-WORK, etc.

1382–[see NEEDLEWORK].

[1390.  Gower, Conf., II. 41. Whan sche takth hir werk on honde Of wevinge or enbrouderie.]

1440.  in Peacock, Eng. Ch. Furniture (1866), App. 182. A vestment of baudekyn y^e ground black with grene Werk.

1530.  Palsgr., 290/1. Worke made of woll, œuure de layne, lanifice.

1560.  Bible (Genev.), Ezek. xvi. 10. I clothed thee also with broydred worke.

1604.  E. G[rimstone], D’Acosta’s Hist. Indies, IV. xli. 320. Their maner of weaving their workes, being both sides alike.

1783.  Johnson, Lett. to Miss Thrale (1788), II. 290. Your time, my love, passes, I suppose, in devotion, reading, work, and company…. Of work, unless I understood it better, it will be of no great use to say much.

1795.  Mrs. Cowley, Town before you, I. i. 2. Mrs. Fancourt…. (rising and laying down her work).

1842.  Dickens, Amer. Notes, iii. The work she had knitted, lay beside her.

1862.  Lytton, Str. Story, xlviii. Taking pleasure … not in music, nor books, nor that tranquil pastime which women call work.

1882.  Besant, All Sorts, vii. (1898), 65. On the other side [sat] a girl, with work on her lap, sewing.

  17.  An excavation in the earth, made for the purpose of obtaining metals or minerals; a mine. Obs. exc. = WORKING vbl. sb. 16.

1475.  tyn werk [see TIN sb. 5].

1482.  Cely Papers (Camden), 113. All the gounes yn the colle warkys and abowte the marttes were schett for joye.

1540–1.  Elyot, Image Gov., 46. He wolde haue them sent into … the iles called Cassiterides, to labour in tynne workes.

1565.  Reg. Privy Council Scot., I. 400. Sauffand the werk and mynd of Glengonar and Wenlok.

1604.  G. Bowes, in Cochran-Patrick, Early Rec. Mining Scot. (1878), 111. Clensing an ould worke … I found the same 13^th feette deepe.

c. 1610.  in G. C. Bond, Early Hist. Mining (1924), 15. Alter … his collyers have wrought sixe dayes in the workes.

1665.  cole-workes [see COAL-WORK 2].

1769.  Ann. Reg., Chron., 102. Four colliers at work in a pit near Whitehaven, were all suffocated by the foul air of an old adjoining work.

1883.  Gresley, Gloss. Coal-mining, Work, a stall or working place.

  b.  A kind of trench in draining. local.

1653.  Blithe, Eng. Improver Impr., vii. 93. Cut a good substantiall Trench about thy Bog…; And … make one work or two just overthwart it.

1794.  T. Davis, Agric. Wilts, 31. That the disposition of the trenches (provincially ‘the works of the meadow,’) should be uniform.

1799.  T. Wright, Art of Floating Land, 60. That one feeder made diagonally, and two others in different directions … will … with the assistance of the smaller works … be competent to effect a regular distribution of the water.

  18.  pl. An establishment where some industrial labor, esp. manufacture, is carried on, including the whole of the buildings and machinery used; a factory, manufactory, etc. In later use commonly construed as sing., in earlier use (to c. 1860) also in sing. form. Often as the second element of a compound; see references below.

1581.  iron workes, 1634–5.  iron-work [see IRONWORK 2].

1617.  allome workes [see ALUM 5].

1722.  De Foe, Col. Jack (1840), 273. The servants,… in both the works, were upwards of three hundred.

1748.  in Jrnl. Friends Hist. Soc. (1918), 24. At Liverpool. We went to see pot houses & silk works where one wheele works above 300 Twisting bobbins.

179[?].  Burns, Verses on window at Carron. We came na here to view your warks In hopes to be mair wise.

1819.  gas works [see GAS sb. 7].

1822.  tan-work [see TAN sb.¹ C. 1].

1848.  Mrs. Gaskell, Mary Barton, vii. During the half-hour allowed at the works for tea.

1882.  Daily News, 4 March. A new works for the manufacture of steel wire.

1898.  Mrs. H. Ward, Helbeck, III. i. On night-duty at a large engineering ‘works.’

  attrib.  1885.  W. S. Hutton (title), The Works Manager’s Hand-Book.

1901.  Scotsman, 11 March, 8/7. The position of the directors…, of their consulting chemist, and of their works chemist.

  19.  Something that is to be or is being operated upon: in various connections (see quots.; cf. also 15).

1680.  Moxon, Mech. Exerc., x. 190. The Diameter of the Work they intend to Turn in the Lathe.

1799.  G. Smith, Laboratory, I. 104. Boil the work, either in alum-water, or aqua fortis.

1881.  Raymond, Mining Gloss., Work. Ore not yet dressed.

  20.  A set of parts forming a machine or piece of mechanism: orig. sing., esp. as the second element of compounds (see references below); as an independent word now only pl., the internal mechanism of a clock or watch, which actuates the hands or the striking apparatus.

  Also (colloq.) humorously applied to the internal organs or viscera of an animal, as in to take out the works = to ‘draw’ a fowl, etc.

a. 1628–.  [see CLOCK-WORK].

1667–.  [see WATCHWORK].

1670–.  [see WHEELWORK].

1766.  A. Cumming (title), Elements of Clock and Watch-work.

1769.  W. Emerson, Mechanics, 109. This work is within the watch between the two plates.

1773.  T. Mudge, Descr. Timekeeper (1799), 40. The repeating work. Ibid. The balance work.

1819.  Rees, Cycl., s.v. Watch, The interior works of an ordinary watch.

1835.  Dickens, Sk. Boz, Parish, ii. He took to pieces the eight-day clock … under pretence of cleaning the works.

  21.  A froth produced by fermentation in the manufacture of vinegar: cf. WORK v. 33.

1839.  Ure, Dict. Arts, 4. To … see if the fermentation [of the vinegar] has been complete … we plunge into the liquor a white stick or rod…: if it be covered with a white thick froth, to which is given the name of work (travail), we judge that the operation is terminated.

  III.  Phrases. (See also above senses.)

  *  with work as obj. of a preposition.

  † 22.  A work, awork [A prep.¹]: = at, on, to work (23, 26, 28, 29); esp. in to set a work. Obs. exc. as in A-WORK (q.v.).

c. 1380.  Wyclif, Serm., Sel. Wks. II. 16. Monkis and freris assenten to werris wiþouten cause, and bringen þes lordis awerke.

c. 1400.  Sowdone Bab., 2599. Tho was Durnedale set a werke.

1450.  Paston Lett., I. 167. Asay how ye can sett hem a werk in the Parlement.

1450–1530.  Myrr. our Ladye, II. 67. That your redyng & study be … pryncypally to enforme your selfe, & to set yt a warke in youre owne lyuynge.

1480.  Cov. Leet Bk., 431. That they that set them awarke shuld pay for hym.

1530.  Palsgr., 712/2. Sette hym nat a worke, he can do yvell ynoughe of hymselfe.

1556.  in Vicary’s Anat. (1888), App. iii. 4. 175. Beggers … to be sett a worke, & be compelled … to gett their owne lyvinges.

1678.  Cudworth, Intell. Syst., I. iv. 437. The Gods and Demons being first made, by the Supreme God, were set a work … by him afterward in the making of man.

1694.  W. Wotton, Anc. & Mod. Learn. (1697), 371. To set their Members awork to collect a perfect History of Nature.

a. 1716.  South, Serm. (1823), I. 170. To move and set a work the great principles of actions.

  23.  At work.

  Used predicatively with set (SET v. 25); to work is now more usual (see 29).

  a.  Occupied with labor; engaged in a task; working, esp. at one’s regular occupation. (Of a person or animal; also of a machine.)

1613.  Shaks., Hen. VIII., III. i. 74. I was set [= seated] at worke, Among my Maids.

1683.  Moxon, Mech. Exerc., Printing, xvii. ¶ 1. That the Matrice fly or start not back when it is at Work.

1688.  R. Holme, Armoury, III. 369/2. You may rest your right Hand or Arm upon it [sc. the maulstick],… whilst you are at work [sc. painting].

1692.  R. L’Estrange, Fables, ccccxl. 417. You [the Mole] have Nothing for Digging ’tis True; but pray who set you at Work?

1709.  Strype, in Thoresby’s Lett. (1832), II. 235. The book will make one hundred sheets … there are three presses at work about it.

1765.  Goldsm., Ess., Misc. Wks. 1837, I. 351. We may … set beggars at work.

1840.  Dickens, Old C. Shop, x. The poor woman was still hard at work at an ironing-table.

1882.  Besant, All Sorts, xxxii. (1898), 222. The street … was as quiet as on the Sunday, the children being at school and the men at work.

  b.  gen. Occupied in some action or process, esp. one directed to a definite end or result; actively engaged; operating. (Of persons or their faculties, or of animals; also of forces or influences.)

1655.  Clarke Papers (Camden), III. 17. The Blades … who were att worke to have brought new troubles uppon us.

c. 1680.  Beveridge, Serm. (1729), I. 344. The Father is always at work in the government of the world.

a. 1700.  Evelyn, Diary, 7 Oct. 1688. The Jesuites hard at worke to foment confusion among the Protestants.

1820.  Southey, Wesley, I. 3. He has set mightier principles at work.

1862.  Cornh. Mag., V. 35. The mare … continued her feeding. How she enjoyed this plashy young grass! She had been at work in this way for the last five or six hours.

1887.  Lowell, Democracy, etc., 12. The little kernel of leaven that sets the gases at work.

a. 1890.  Liddon, Life Pusey (1893), II. 151. Newman … was at work on his article on ‘The Catholicity of the English Church.’ Ibid., 170. The same influence … was already at work.

  c.  in passive sense: In process of being worked.

1911.  Act 1 & 2 Geo. V., c. 50 § 36. Two shafts … with which every seam for the time being at work in the mine shall have a communication.

  24.  In work. a. † (a) = at work, 23 a; (b) in regular occupation; also with qualifying adj., as in full work, in good work = working full time or remuneratively.

1535.  Coverdale, 1 Chron. x. [ix.] 33. Daye and night were they in worke withall.

1568.  Abp. Parker, Corr. (Parker Soc.), 328. I am content to set some of my men in work.

c. 1610.  in G. C. Bond, Early Hist. Mining (1924), 15. It is mutche wished and desired that suche an ingein may be seene in worcke.

1842.  W. C. Taylor, Notes Tour Lancs., 39. When in good work the united earnings of both averaged about 30s. weekly.

  † b.  To put in work: (a) to make use of; (b) to put in operation: = set to work, 29. Obs.

c. 1400.  Maundev. (1839), xxviii. 288. In that Contree … men putten in werke the Sede of Cotoun.

1626.  C. Potter, trans. Sarpi’s Hist. Quarrels, 100. The Iesuites … put in worke all their artifices.

1653.  Urquhart, trans. Rabelais, I. viii. 41. For his Gloves were put in work sixteen Otters skins,… for the bordering of them.

1664.  J. Webb, Stone-Heng (1725), 193. These rude Remains being put in Work, in his Judgment, before the Flood.

  25.  Of work. a. Piece of work: see PIECE sb. 7. b. —— of all work († works): employed in all kinds of work, esp. in a household: chiefly in maid-of-all-work (see MAID sb.¹ 4 b); hence allusively.

1775.  Pennsylv. Even. Post, 30 March, 114/2. Advt., Wanted a complete Servant for a Place of all Work, in a middling Family.

1797.  Jane Austen, Sense & Sensib., xxxviii. Two maids and two men, indeed…! No, no; they must get a stout girl of all works.

1821.  Scott, Mrs. Radcliffe, Biogr. Mem. (1834), I. 359. A garrulous waiting-maid;… a villain or two of all work.

1821.  Byron, Reply to Southey, Wks. (1846), 513/1. This arrogant scribbler of all work. Ibid. (1822), Vis. Judgem., c. Mine is a pen of all work.

1886.  Ruskin, Præterita, I. iii. 97. The kitchen servant-of-all-work.

  † 26.  On work, in to set (a person, etc.) on work = to work (29). Obs.

1549.  Latimer, 4th Serm. bef. Edw. VI. (Arb.), 40. To the setting his subiectes on worke, and kepyng them from idlenes.

1551.  Robinson, trans. More’s Utopia, Transl. Ep. (1895), 16. Hauing no profitable busines wherupon to sette himself on worke.

a. 1568.  Ascham, Scholem., II. Wks. (1904), 239. His witte shalbe new set on worke.

1576.  Gascoigne, Droome of Doomesday, Wks. 1910, I. 224. They … buyld houses,… till feildes,… and set milles on worke.

a. 1645.  Featly, Reynolds, in Fuller, Abel Rediv. (1651), 487. It pleased his Majesty to set some learned men on worke, to translate the Bible.

1692.  Norris, Pract. Disc. Div. Subj. (1722), III. 134. When the Powers of the Soul shall be more awaken’d, and its thoughts more vehemently set on work.

1788.  Priestley, Lect. Hist., V. lii. 401. By setting on work such immense numbers of our manufacturers.

  27.  Out of work (OUT OF 11 b): having no work to do, unemployed, workless. Also (with hyphens) attrib., or as sb.

1599.  Shaks., Hen. V., I. ii. 114. All out of worke, and cold for action.

1886.  Daily News, 4 Feb., 5/7. The chief of the labour organizations—the Amalgamated Engineers—had lost 40,000l. last year in out-of-work pay.

1887.  Spectator, 4 June, 763/2. Afraid of being out of work.

1906.  F. Thoresby, in Westm. Rev., CLXV. Jan., 39. A receiving and sorting office for the unemployed of all classes, including the genuine out-of-works.

  28.  To go to work (GO v. 34): to proceed to some action (expressed or implied); to begin doing something; to commence operations. So to fall to work (see FALL v. 66 e).

1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. V. 347. Vche a mayde that he mette he made hir a signe Semynge to synne-ward … and to the werke ȝeden. Ibid. (1393), C. VII. 181. To werke we ȝeden.

1563–87.  Foxe, A. & M. (1596), 1811/1. Say your mind, & go briefly to worke: for I think it almost dinner time.

a. 1586.  Sidney, Arcadia, II. ii. (1912), 152. Swearing he never knew man go more aukewardly to worke.

1601.  Shaks., Twel. N., IV. i. 36. Ile go another way to worke with him: Ile haue an action of Battery against him.

1718.  Free-thinker, No. 20, ¶ 2. I shall go a shorter and a plainer way to work.

1771.  Goldsm., Hist. Eng., I. 363. This parliament … went expeditiously to work upon the business of reformation.

1890.  Temple Bar, July, 329. His wits went instantly to work.

  29.  To set to work (SET v. 112, 113). a. trans. (a) To set (a person, the faculties, etc.) to a task, or to do something; less commonly, to put (a thing) in action; refl. to apply oneself to labor, or to some occupation or undertaking; to set about doing something.

1497–8.  in Archæol. Jrnl. (1836), XLIII. 168. A fyne … for werkyng by nyght & settyng to werk a child vnbound & vnablid.

c. 1520.  Skelton, Magnyf., 1246. A nysot … That wyll syt ydyll … And can not set herselfe to warke.

1719.  De Foe, Crusoe, I. (Globe), 246. I set Friday to Work to boiling and stewing.

1749.  Smollett, Gil Blas, XII. i. (1782), IV. 211. The time draws near when I shall set thy address to work.

1827.  Faraday, Chem. Manip., iv. (1842), 105. Such a lamp … is … soon set to work, and as soon extinguished.

1867.  ‘Ouida,’ Cecil Castlemaine, etc., 235. Somebody else daring him to go in for honours,… he set himself to work to show them all what he could do.

1879.  Sala, Paris Herself Again, xxxi. The owners set their wits to work.

  † (b)  To begin working upon: cf. 23 c. Obs.

1694.  T. Houghton, Royal Instit., Ded. A 3. Which Veyns and Mines, if they was … Set to Work, by any that understands them, would … prove as Rich.

  b.  intr. for refl.: see a (a): = 28.

1691.  W. Nicholls, Answ. Naked Gospel, 92. The Doctor sets to work to his exposition of the Trinity.

1782.  R. Cumberland, Anecd. Emin. Painters, I. 147. The devout painter sate to work.

1825.  J. O’Keeffe, in New Monthly Mag., XVI. 353. I … set to work at another two-act piece.

1889.  H. D. Traill, Strafford, iv. 46. Charles angrily dissolved his third Parliament, and set seriously to work to govern alone.

  **  with work as obj. of a verb. (See also 3 b.)

  30.  To cut out work for a person: to prepare work to be done by him, to give him something to do; now only to have (all) one’s work cut out (colloq.): to have enough, or as much as one can manage, to do.

1619, 1795, 1866.  [see CUT v. 56 l].

1879.  H. C. Powell, Amateur Athletic Ann., 19. This [race] Crossley had all his work cut out to win.

  31.  To make work. a. (also to make a work): To work havoc or confusion; hence, to make a to-do or fuss, to cause disturbance or trouble (cf. 6); † in quot. 1574, to trouble oneself to do something. dial.

1530.  Palsgr., 616/2. He maketh suche a worke whan he cometh that all the house is wery of hym.

1574.  Satir. Poems Reform., xlii. 234. Thay maid na werk To seek ony.

1581.  Pettie, Guazzo’s Civ. Conv., III. (1586), 136. These women like some Phisitions, make work where all was well before.

1607.  Shaks., Cor., I. iv. 20. There is Auffidious. List what worke he makes Among’st your cloven Army.

1678.  Lauderdale Papers (Camden, 1885), III. 102. It is a foolish thing for scots men to complain or make worke heir, or to endeavour a Rebellion in scotland.

1861.  E. B. Ramsay’s Remin., 23. Now-a-days, people make a work if a minister preach the same sermon over again in the course of two or three years.

1816.  Scott, Antiq., ix. Ou dear! Monkbarns, what’s the use of making a wark?

1884.  Lucy B. Walford, Baby’s Grandmother, I. iv. 77. Passing in and out and making no end of a work.

  b.  To make work for: to give (a person, etc.) something to do.

1595.  Shaks., John, II. i. 303. Yong Arthur … Who … this day hath made Much worke for teares in many an English mother.

1622.  Mabbe, trans. Aleman’s Guzman d’Alf., II. 238. Lest by sauing their workmanship, my selfe might haue made worke for the hang-man.

1706.  E. Ward, Wooden World Diss. (1708), 2. To make more Work for the Hempen Whores in London.

  c.  with qualifying adj., as to make good, short, sure (etc.) work (of or with a person or thing): to do the business, or deal with the person or thing, well, shortly, surely, etc.; often with special implication, as to make short work of or with, to destroy or put an end to quickly; to settle and dismiss peremptorily; to make sure work with, to secure, to get safely into one’s possession or control.

1592.  Shaks., Rom. & Jul., II. vi. 35. Come with me, & we will make short worke. Ibid. (1607), Cor., IV. vi. 95, 100. You haue made good worke, You and your Apron men…. You haue made faire worke.

1608.  Topsell, Serpents, 265. Hauing made sure worke with one, she [sc. the spider] hyeth her to the Center of her Web, obseruing … whether any newe prey will come.

1706.  M. Henry, Gen. xxxviii. 7. Sometimes God makes quick work with sinners.

a. 1774.  Goldsm., trans. Scarron’s Com. Romance (1775), I. 164. Believing they would at last make shorter work with me, and dispatch me with pistols.

1789.  Twining, Aristotle’s Treat. Poetry (1812), II. 52. Seeing what strange work Lord Shaftsbury has made with this passage in his … translation of it.

1824.  Scott, Redgauntlet, let. xi. Wild wark they made of it; for the Whigs were as dour as the Cavaliers were fierce.

1826.  Disraeli, Viv. Grey, VI. i. It is a very awful tale, sir, but I will make short work of it.

1859.  H. Kingsley, G. Hamlyn, xli. The Doctor, on his … mare, was making good work of it across the plains.

1885.  Law Times, LXXIX. 169/2. A Lords Committee would probably make very short work of these precedents.

  ***  with qualifying adj. (or phr.: see also 1 c, d, 14, 31 c).

  32.  Good work: a morally commendable or virtuous act; an act of kindness or good will; esp. (in religious and theological use) an act of piety; usually pl. such acts done in obedience to divine law, or as the fruits of faith or godliness (cf. 1 b).

c. 1000.  Rule of Chrodegang, i. Þurh soðe lufe & þurh hyrsumnesse & þurh oðre gode worc.

c. 1020.  Rule St. Benet (Logeman), 14. Ʒif beteran oðram on godum weorcum & eadmodren we beoð ʓemette.

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 9. Oðre godere werke þe nu were long eou to telle.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 26525. Es na god werc wit-vten mede, Ne na wick wit-vten wrak.

1340.  Ayenb., 160. Zigge ich wel, þet in on wyt þise zeue uirtues be-uore yzed byeþ þe boȝes of riȝtuolnesse, and al þet frut of guod workes þet of ham wexeþ belongeþ to þise trawe.

1382.  Wyclif, Matt. xxvi. 10. What be ȝe heuy [gloss or sory] to this womman? sothely a good work she hath wrouȝt in me.

c. 1449.  Pecock, Repr., I. iii. 13. He ouȝte be douȝty and strong into gode werkis.

1516.  Kal. New Leg. Eng. (Pynson), 2. He dyed in great Age full of good werkes & vertues.

1596.  Harington, Metam. Ajax, 41. When a man hath done but two good workes in all his life.

1653.  W. Ramesey, Astrol. Restored, 183. Those times are to be shunned at the beginning of any good work.

1724.  Erskine, Serm., Tit. iii. 8, Wks. (1791), 92. To make a work a good work, it must be done, by a good and holy person, renewed by the Spirit of Christ, and justified by his merit.

a. 1819.  G. Hill, Lect. Div., V. iii. (1850), 472. Good works are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith.

1887.  J. Hutchison, Lect. Philippians, iii. 25. The infinite solemnity belonging to every good work wrought within us and wrought by us.

  **** 33.  Proverbs and proverbial sayings.

14[?].  [see HAND sb. 60 e].

c. 1530.  R. Hilles, Comm.-pl Bk. (1858), 140. Meny hondys makyth lyght werke.

1670.  Ray, Prov., 158. All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy.

1897.  Globe, 9 July, 1/2. Heroic conduct of this type has to be, and is, regarded by British officers … as ‘all in the day’s work.’

  IV.  34. attrib. and Comb. a. Simple attrib., as work-hour, -pause, -place, -room, -thing, -time, -tool, -yard (see also WORK-DAY, etc.); (of persons) employed in manual, mechanical or industrial labor, as work-girl, -servant (see also WORK-FOLK, -MAN, etc.); (of animals) used for work on a farm or otherwise (= ‘of burden’ or ‘of draught’), as work-beast, -horse, -mare, -nag, -ox, -steer, -stock (cf. OE. weorcníeten); pertaining to or used for needlework or the like (see 16), as work-case, -desk, -drawer, -pattern, -stand (see also work-bag, etc. in d). b. Objective, etc., as work-seeker; work-producing adj. c. Instrumental, as work-driven, -hardened, -stained, -wan, -weary, -worn adjs. d. Special comb.: work-bag, -basket, a bag, or basket, to contain implements and materials for needlework; work-bench, a bench, with accessories, at which mechanics work, esp. a carpenter’s bench; work-board, a board upon which some kind of manual work is done; work-box, a box to contain instruments and materials for needlework; work-covenant Theol. = Covenant of Works (see COVENANT sb. 8 a, and cf. sense 1 b above); work-fellow = work-mate; work-field, (a) a field or piece of ground used for training in farm-work; (b) a ‘field’ of work, region of activity; work-hand, (a) [HAND sb. 8] a person employed by another to do work; (b) with defining adj. [HAND sb. 9], as a good work-hand, one who is a ‘good hand’ at work, a capable worker; work-holder, a device in a sewing-machine for holding the work or fabric; † work-holy a. Theol., aiming at or pretending to holiness on the ground of works (see 1 b); † work-jail, a penal workhouse; work-lead, † (a) a vat (LEAD sb.¹ 5 a) used for fermentation; (b) = G. werkblei, lead as it comes from the smelting furnace, containing impurities; † work-like a., inclined for work, industrious; work-mate, a fellow-laborer, one engaged in the same work with another or others; workmonger, a controversial term for one who expects to be justified by works (see 1 b); work-shy a., shy of or disinclined for work, lazy; hence work-shyness; work-stone, a sloping cast-iron plate (? originally a stone) in the front of an ore-hearth, with a groove down which the melted metal flows; work-table, a table for supporting working materials and tools; esp. a small table with compartments and drawers, and sometimes with a well for needlework; work-train, a train of wagons or trucks for conveying materials for construction or repair of a railway, etc.

1775.  Twiss, Trav. Port. & Sp., 36. I bought here several *work-bags made in the Brasils.

1853.  Dickens, Bleak Ho., v. Some half-dozen reticules and work-bags, ‘containing documents,’ as she informed us.

1743.  Bulkeley & Cummins, Voy. S. Seas, 39. A small Basket … about the Size of the Womens *Work-baskets in England.

1897.  Mrs. E. L. Voynich, Gadfly, I. vii. His mother’s work-basket stood in a little cupboard.

1380.  Lay Folks Catech. (L.), 866. Thow schalt not coueyte þy neyȝborys wyf,… ne his oxe ne his *werk-best.

1782.  T. Jefferson, Notes State Virginia (1787), 275. While we have land to labour then, let us never wish to see our citizens occupied at a *work-bench, or twirling a distaff.

1864.  R. Kerr, Gentl. Ho., 307. A Carpenter’s Shop … will contain … the well-known work-bench of the trade, and perhaps a lathe.

1811.  R. Sutcliff, Trav. N. Amer., 58. There was a tailor in Philadelphia, a Quaker, of the name of —— ——, whose *work-board being at a front window, he had an opportunity of noticing the passengers in the street; and that whenever he saw a Negro whom he judged to be a runaway slave, [etc.].

1885.  C. G. W. Lock, Workshop Receipts, Ser. IV. 325/1. The [watchmaker’s] ‘workboard’ should be made of well-seasoned wood.

1811.  Miss Hawkins, Countess & Gertrude. *Workbox.

1848.  Dickens, Dombey, viii. Berry brought out a little work-box,… and fell to working busily.

1879.  Mrs. A. E. James, Ind. Househ. Managem., 25. You must … have a *work-case with thread, cotton, needles, pins, thimble, scissors, knife, and pencil.

1892.  Westcott, Gospel of Life, 260. The *work-covenant of Sinai brings to light the duty and the weakness of men.

1611.  Florio, Scrignetto, a little shrine, chest, coffin, or deske…. Also a womans *worke-deske.

1848.  Thackeray, Van. Fair, viii. She took from her *work-drawer an enormous … piece of knitting.

1880.  Ellen H. Rollins (‘E. H. Arr’), New Eng. Bygones (1883), 42. These farmers … were almost always *work-driven and weary.

1526.  Tindale, Rom. xvi. 21. Thimotheus my *worke felow.

1564.  Brief Exam., D ij b. We nede many workefelowes.

1888.  Times (weekly ed.), 9 Nov., 9/3. A training-farm or *‘workfield’ managed by the poor-law authorities.

1918.  Abp. Davidson, in Times, 30 Dec., 6/3. Their activities are in His larger workfield now.

1848.  Mrs. Gaskell, Mary Barton, iv. The blooming young *work-girl.

1886.  Besant, Childr. Gibeon, I. vi. We’re work-girls, and we’ve got to earn our living.

1866.  Carlyle, E. Irving, in Remin. (1881), I. 129. Miller’s assistant and *work-hand for many years was John Bell, a joiner.

1893.  T. N. Page, In Ole Virginia, 180. He was a fine butcher, a good work-hand, and a first-class boatman.

1859.  Geo. Eliot, Adam Bede, iv. She stands knitting … with her *work-hardened hands.

1875.  Knight, Dict. Mech., 2120/2. The cylinder sewing-machine has a cylindrical *work-holder for sewing seams on sleeves, trousers,… and other tubular work.

1528.  Tindale, Obed. Chr. Man, 42 b. The sophistres, *werke-holy, & iustifiars,… which so magnifie their dedes.

1543.  Richmond Wills (Surtees), 41. Inventarye … in y^e stable … Item iiij^or *warke horses.

1812.  Sir J. Sinclair, Syst. Husb. Scot., I. 17. A pair of work-horses may be accommodated in a space of sixteen feet by eight.

1848.  Mrs. Gaskell, Mary Barton, vii. To try and get a little sleep before *work-hour. Ibid. Unfettered by work-hours.

1618.  Bolton, Florus (1636), 233. Breaking up the *worke-jayles, or bridle-wels [L. refractis ergastulis] by right of Warre, hee made up an host of above fortie thousand.

1834.  Poulett Scrope, in Hansard’s Parl. Debates, Ser. III. XXIII. 1326. The whole country must be studded with district workhouses, or rather work-gaols.

1471–2.  Durham Acc. Rolls (Surtees), 156. Pro operacione cc^a v^xx viij petr. plumbi in iiij *warkledes, brewledes, et j steplede.

1881.  Raymond, Mining Gloss., Work-lead. See Base bullion.

a. 1642.  Bedell, Erasmus, in Fuller, Abel Rediv. (1651), 57. Seaven Cities, no contemptible portion of witty and *work-like Greece.

1627.  Drayton, Agincourt, lxxviii. A *Workmayd in her Summers weed, With Sheafe and Sickle.

1587.  Lanc. Wills (Chetham Soc.), 144. One *worke horse or maire.

1851.  H. Mayhew, Lond. Labour (1861), II. 95. The man accordingly got a boat, and was soon afloat among his old *workmates.

1549.  Allen, Jude’s Par. Rev., xii. 3–6. The truth of the christen faith … beyng persecuted … of Emperours and Kynges, of *workemongers.

1581.  Marbeck, Bk. Notes, 882. The Harlots and Publicans repenting truly, and … submitting themselues to the mercie of God, are more acceptable vnto God, then y^e proud workmongers, that trust in their owne righteousnesse.

1882.  Mrs. Booth, Addr. Crit. Salvation Army, 7. One class of critics stigmatise us as being … work-mongers.

1576.  Wills & Inv. N. C. (Surtees, 1835), I. 411. ij *woryke nagges.

1567.  Richmond Wills (Surtees), 210. xxj *wark oxen.

1897.  O. Wister, in Harper’s Mag., March, 534/2. He looked as wise as a work-ox.

1815.  Scott, Guy M., xxix. Miss Bertram’s *work-patterns.

1894.  A. S. Robertson, Provost o’ Glendookie, 91. The Glendookian year contained two *work-pauses.

a. 1828.  Bewick, in Zoologist (1862), Ser. I. XX. 8150. He would not, like my friend Oliphant, adjourn to a public-house and join in a tankard of ale, but he had it sent for to my *work-place.

1875.  Act 38 & 39 Vict., c. 55 § 91. Any factory, workshop, or workplace … not kept in a cleanly state.

1828.  Scott, F. M. Perth, vii. The *work-room of Simon Glover was filled to crowding by personages of no little consequence.

1848.  Mrs. Gaskell, Mary Barton, xiii. Thoughts … of the morrow … to be spent in that close monotonous work-room.

1892.  Daily News, 18 May, 6/1. There are no openings for *work-seekers in other counties.

1593.  Lanc. Wills (1884), 155. I gyve … unto everye one of my *worke servants over and besids theire waigs x s. apeece.

1904.  H. Preston-Thomas, Rep. Vagrancy Switz., 4. If the council … decide that (to use the expressive term officially employed) he is *work-shy (Arbeits-scheu). Ibid., 9. The offence of most of them has been begging or ‘work-shyness.’

1892.  Pall Mall Gaz., 15 Jan., 3/2. Unaccustomed tears glistened in the eyes of his [Cardinal Manning’s] rough and *work-stained hearers.

1901.  Scotsman, 8 Oct., 5/1. There are some of us who have learned to love that work-stained river.

1849.  C. Brontë, Shirley, xxix. He placed another chair opposite that near the *work-stand.

1911.  Blackw. Mag., Sept., 359/2. Setting him up with a *work-steer and a milk cow. Ibid., 360/2. A few bushels of wheat, for his bread and for his *work-stock feed.

1667.  in Pettus, Fodinæ Reg. (1670), 35. Five Hearths with Backs, Cheeks, *Workstones, Iron Plates, and other necessaries.

1884.  C. G. W. Lock, Workshop Rec., Ser. III. 336/2. Extending forwards from the front of the hearth … is an iron plate called the ‘fore-stone’ or ‘work-stone.’

1800.  S. & Ht. Lee, Canterb. T. (ed. 2), III. 139. On one side stood an ornamental *work-table.

1885.  ‘Mrs. Alexander,’ At Bay, i. A small basket work-table, overflowing with bright-colored wools and silk.

1812.  Miss Mitford, in L’Estrange, Life (1870), I. 168. The playthings and the *workthings, that this unlucky search discovered.

1882.  Besant, All Sorts, xx. (1898), 143. During *work-time he planned amusements for Miss Kennedy and her girls.

1889.  Browning, Asolando, Epilogue, iv. At noonday in the bustle of man’s work-time.

1588.  Lanc. Wills (Chetham Soc.), 151. Bellowes and other *work tooles.

1884.  Lisbon (Dakota) Star, Oct., 10. The *work-train is again engaged in hauling gravel on the road.

1877.  Tennyson, Harold, I. i. 54. Look! am I not *Work-wan, flesh-fallen?

1865.  Mrs. L. L. Clarke, Common Seaweeds, iv. 75. The man of business takes a ramble on the sea shore, *work-weary.

1865.  C. Stanford, Symb. Christ, vi. (1878), 170. When for a few moments that *work-worn man takes up his Bible.

1614.  T. Gentleman, England’s Way, 31. Houses, and *worke-yards erected for Coopers, and Rope-makers.

1864.  R. Kerr, Gentl. Ho., 308. An enclosed Work-yard is … required…. The Workshops ought to face it.