spadework

spade·work

noun \-ˌwərk\

Definition of SPADEWORK

1

: work done with a spade

2

: the hard plain preliminary drudgery in an undertaking

Examples of SPADEWORK

1. She had her assistants do the spadework in preparation for the trial.

First Known Use of SPADEWORK

1778

Rhymes with SPADEWORK

artwork, at work, beadwork, berserk, breastwork, brickwork, bridgework, brightwork, brushwork, capework, casework, clockwork, coachwork, de Klerk, ductwork, Dunkirk, earthwork, falsework, fieldwork, file clerk, firework, flatwork, footwork, formwork, framework, fretwork, frostwork, glasswork, Grand Turk, grillwork, groundwork, guesswork, hackwork, handwork, hauberk, headwork, homework, housework, in work, ironwork, knee-jerk, lacework, lifework, make-work, meshwork, millwork, network, outwork, paintwork, patchwork, piecework, presswork, quillwork, rework, roadwork, salesclerk, schoolwork, scrollwork, shellwork, slopwork, Southwark, steelwork, stickwork, stonework, stump work, teamwork, timework, topwork, town clerk, waxwork, webwork, wheelwork, woodwork, young Turk