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 verb1: 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 : embroider3 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 out6 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 verb1 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 tendency4: 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 windward6: 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