labor

la•bor

[[t]ˈleɪ bər[/t]] n.

1) productive activity, esp. for the sake of economic gain

2) the body of persons engaged in such activity, esp. those working for wages

3) this body of persons considered as a class

(distinguished from management).

4) physical or mental work, esp. of a hard or fatiguing kind

5) a job or task done or to be done

6)

a) med the uterine contractions of childbirth

b) med the interval from the onset of these contractions to childbirth

7) to perform labor; work

8) to strive, as toward a goal; work hard (often fol. by for):

to labor for peace[/ex]

9) to move slowly and with effort

10) to function at a disadvantage (usu. fol. by under):

to labor under a misapprehension[/ex]

11) med to undergo childbirth

12) naut. navig. to roll or pitch heavily, as a ship

13) to develop or dwell on in excessive detail:

Don't labor the point[/ex]

14) to burden or tire

15) cvb of or pertaining to workers, their associations, or working conditions:

labor reforms[/ex]

Also, esp. Brit.,labour Etymology: 1250–1300; ME < MF < L labor la′bor•er, n. syn: See work usage: See -or .