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labour
[ley-ber]
labour
/ ˈleɪbə /
noun
productive work, esp physical toil done for wages
the people, class, or workers involved in this, esp in contrast to management, capital, etc
( as modifier )
a labour dispute
labour relations
difficult or arduous work or effort
( in combination )
labour-saving
a particular job or task, esp of a difficult nature
the process or effort of childbirth or the time during which this takes place
( as modifier )
labour pains
something done for pleasure rather than gain
verb
(intr) to perform labour; work
(intr; foll by for, etc) to strive or work hard (for something)
to be burdened (by) or be at a disadvantage (because of)
to labour under a misapprehension
(intr) to make one's way with difficulty
(tr) to deal with or treat too persistently
to labour a point
(intr) (of a woman) to be in labour
(intr) (of a ship) to pitch and toss
Spelling Note
Other Word Forms
- labouringly adverb
- antilabour adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of labour1
Example Sentences
Twice, in the early stage of labour, Mrs Richards was sent home from hospital.
But opposition parties have accused the government of eroding workers' rights and "pushing the country back to a labour middle age".
He had been in prison for three weeks at the time after being handed a two-year prison sentence with hard labour.
The two countries allege he directed operations of forced labour compounds across Cambodia where thousands of workers were held in compounds surrounded by high walls and barbed wire.
There are at least 53 scam compounds in the country where organised criminal groups carry out human trafficking, forced labour, torture, deprivation of liberty and slavery, according to the organisation.
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