labor

labor [lā′bər]

n.

[OFr < L, labor, orig., hardship, pain, prob. < base of labi, to slip, totter: see LAP¹]

1. physical or mental exertion; work; toil

2. a specific task; piece of work

3.

a) all wage-earning workers as a group: distinguished from CAPITAL¹ or MANAGEMENT

b) all manual workers whose work is characterized largely by physical exertion

4. labor unions collectively

5. the work accomplished by or the role in production of all workers, esp. workers for wages

6. [L-] Labor Party

7. Med. the process or period of childbirth; parturition; esp., the muscular contractions of giving birth

vi.

[ME laboren < OFr laborer < L laborare < the n.]

1. to work; toil

2. to work hard; exert oneself to get or do something; strive

3.

a) to move slowly and with difficulty [the car labored up the hill]

b) to pitch and roll heavily [the ship labored in the rough sea]

4. to be afflicted or burdened with a liability or limitation (with under) [to labor under a delusion]

5. to undergo, and suffer the pains of, childbirth

vt.

[earlier elabour < Fr élaborer: see ELABORATE]

to spend too much time and effort on; develop in too great detail [to labor a point]