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hackwork

[hak-wurk]
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noun
  1. writing, painting, or any professional work done for hire and usually following a formula rather than being motivated by any creative impulse.

Origin of hackwork

First recorded in 1850–55; hack2 + work
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for hackwork

Historical Examples

  • He had in effect emancipated himself from hackwork, and could turn his attention to more congenial and ambitious labour.

    Turner

    William Cosmo Monkhouse

British Dictionary definitions for hackwork

hackwork

noun
  1. undistinguished literary work produced to order
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012