n.
- activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a result.
- such activity as a means of earning income.
▸W. Indian a job.
- a task or tasks to be undertaken.
▸the materials for this.
▸
(works)
chiefly Brit. activity involving construction or repair.
▸
(works)
Theology good or moral deeds.
- a thing or things done or made; the result of an action.
▸
(works)
the complete artistic production of a particular author, composer, or artist.
-
(works)
[treated as sing.]
chiefly Brit. a place where industrial or manufacturing processes are carried out.
-
(usu. works)
Military a defensive structure.
-
(works)
the mechanism of a clock or other machine.
- Physics the exertion of force overcoming resistance or producing molecular change.
-
(the works)
informal everything needed, desired, or expected.
v.
(past and past part. worked or archaic wrought)
- do work, especially as one's job.
▸have a job.
▸set to or keep at work.
- (of a machine or system) function, especially properly or effectively.
▸(with reference to a machine) be or cause to be in operation.
- have the desired result.
▸bring about.
▸campaign.
▸
(work on/upon)
exert influence on.
- bring (a material or mixture) to a desired shape or consistency.
▸
(work in)
produce articles or pictures using (a particular material or medium).
▸produce (an article or design) using a specified material or sewing stitch.
▸cultivate (land) or extract materials from (a mine or quarry).
- move gradually or with difficulty into another position.
▸(of a person's features) move violently or convulsively.
- bring into a specified emotional state:
Harold had worked himself into a rage.
- Sailing make progress to windward, with repeated tacking.
Phrase
- give someone the works
informal - tell someone everything.
- treat someone harshly or violently.
- have one's work cut out
be faced with a hard or lengthy task. - in the works
being planned, worked on, or produced. - work to rule
chiefly Brit. follow official working rules and hours exactly in order to reduce output and efficiency, especially as a form of industrial action. - work one's passage
see passage.
Phrase verbal
- work something in
try to include something. - work something off
- discharge a debt by working.
- reduce or eliminate something by activity.
- work out
- be capable of being solved.
- develop in a good or specified way.
- engage in vigorous physical exercise.
- work out at
be calculated at. - work someone out
understand someone's character. - work something out
- solve something.
- plan something in detail.
- work someone over
informal beat someone up. - work up to
proceed gradually towards (something more advanced). - work someone up
(often get worked up)
gradually bring someone, especially oneself, to a state of intense excitement, anger, or anxiety. - work something up
- develop or improve something gradually.
- develop by activity or effort.
Derivative
Etymology
OE weorc (n.), wyrcan (v.), of Gmc origin.