Main Entry: ³work

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): worked \ˈwərkt\ or wrought \ˈrȯt\; work·ing

Etymology: Middle English werken, worken, from Old English wyrcan; akin to Old English weorc

Date: before 12th century

transitive verb 1 : to bring to pass : effect <work miracles>
2 a : to fashion or create a useful or desired product by expending labor or exertion on : forge, shape <work flint into tools> b : to make or decorate with needlework; especially : embroider
3 a : to prepare for use by stirring or kneading b : to bring into a desired form by a gradual process of cutting, hammering, scraping, pressing, or stretching <work cold steel>
4 : to set or keep in motion, operation, or activity : cause to operate or produce <a pump worked by hand> <work farmland>
5 : to solve (a problem) by reasoning or calculation —often used with out
6 a : to cause to toil or labor <worked their horses nearly to death> b : to make use of : exploit c : to control or guide the operation of <switches are worked from a central tower>
7 a : to carry on an operation or perform a job through, at, in, or along <the peddler worked the corner> <a sportscaster hired to work the game> b : to greet and talk with in a friendly way in order to ingratiate oneself or achieve a purpose <politicians working the crowd> <worked the room>
8 : to pay for or achieve with labor or service <worked my way through college> <worked my way up in the company>
9 a : to get (oneself or an object) into or out of a condition or position by gradual stages b : contrive, arrange <we can work it so that you can take your vacation>
10 a : to practice trickery or cajolery on for some end <worked the management for a free ticket> b : excite, provoke <worked myself into a rage>intransitive verb 1 a : to exert oneself physically or mentally especially in sustained effort for a purpose or under compulsion or necessity b : to perform or carry through a task requiring sustained effort or continuous repeated operations <worked all day over a hot stove> c : to perform work or fulfill duties regularly for wages or salary <works in publishing>
2 : to function or operate according to plan or design <hinges work better with oil>
3 : to exert an influence or tendency
4 : to produce a desired effect or result : succeed <a plan that will work>
5 a : to make way slowly and with difficulty : move or progress laboriously <worked up to the presidency> b : to sail to windward
6 : to permit of being worked : react in a specified way to being worked <this wood works easily>
7 a : to be in agitation or restless motion b : ferment 1 c : to move slightly in relation to another part d : to get into a specified condition by slow or imperceptible movements <the knot worked loose>

— work on 1 : affect <worked on my sympathies>
2 : to strive to influence or persuade

— work upon : to have effect upon : operate on