or lip-work, subs. (common).—1. Talk; JAW (q.v.). Also flattery.
1575. GASCOIGNE, The Steele Glas [HAZLITT (1869), Poems, ii. 205].
| My priests haue learnt, to pray vnto the Lord, | |
| And yet they trust not in their LYPLABOUR. |
1577–87. HOLINSHED, Chronicles, ed. I. Being but a little LIP-LABOUR.
1592. NASHE, Pierce Penilesse, His Supplication to the Divell [GROSART (1883), ii. 135]. Words … that are the vsual LIP-LABOUR of euerie idle discourser.
1630. TAYLOR (‘The Water Poet’), Workes, ‘A Discovery by Sea.’ In briefe, my fruitlesse and worthy LIP-LABOUR, mixt with a deale of Ayrie, and non substantiall matter, I gaue his Lordship, and the like requitall I bestowed on the right Worshipfull Mr. Thomas Squibb, Maior of Sarum.
1653. R. BROME, The Novella, iii. 1.
| Meere noyse and LIP-LABOUR, with losse of time. | |
| I thinke with scorne upon such poore expressions. |
2. (common).—Kissing.
1582. STANYHURST, Æneis, ‘Of Tyndarus’ (ed. ARBER), p. 145.
| Syth mye nose owtpeaking, good syr, your LIPLABOR hindreth, | |
| Hardlye ye may kisse mee, where no such gnomon apeereth. |
