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labor

la·bor

labor

 
 
pronunciation:
leI br
parts of speech:
noun, intransitive verb, transitive verb
features:
Word Combinations (noun, verb), Word Explorer, Word Parts
part of speech: noun
definition 1: the expenditure of physical and mental effort in the performance of work.
Clearing the land for farming required vast amounts of labor.He was tired from his labor in the fields.
 
synonyms:
effort, work
similar words:
action, exertion, fatigue, moil, toil, travail, working
definition 2: work performed for a wage or salary.
The chef's salary contributes most to the cost of labor in running a restaurant.
synonyms:
employ, employment, job
similar words:
action, assignment, occupation, service, task, work
definition 3: the entire body of workers, esp. as distinguished from management.
The suggested compromise wasn't satisfactory to either labor or management.
synonyms:
employees, hands, proletariat, working class
similar words:
laborers, work force, workers
definition 4: the physical effort, pain, or discomfort of childbirth.
Labor with her first child was much longer andharder than with her second.She went into labor two weeks before the baby was due.
synonyms:
travail
similar words:
accouchement, childbirth, parturition, throe
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part of speech: intransitive verb
inflections: labors, laboring, labored
definition 1: to work hard and exhaustively; toil.
They labored on the project for weeks.
synonyms:
grub, moil, toil, travail
similar words:
agonize, drudge, plod, slave, strain, sweat, trouble, tug, work, worry
definition 2: to proceed with difficulty.
The old car labored up the hill.
synonyms:
struggle, toil
similar words:
plod, strain
definition 3: to suffer from a disadvantage (usu. fol. by "under").
She was laboring under the misapprehension that she was to be promoted.
similar words:
suffer
definition 4: to be in childbirth.
 
part of speech: transitive verb
definition: to treat in endless or exhaustive detail.
I understand, so don't labor the point.
synonyms:
belabor, dwell on
similar words:
detail, develop, elaborate, expand, expound, harp on, overdo
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