work-up

[ wurk-uhp ]

noun

, Printing.

1. an undesirable deposit of ink on a surface being printed, caused by the forcing into type-high position of quads or other spacing material.

work up

verb

1. to arouse the feelings of; excite
2. to cause to grow or develop

   to work up a hunger

3. also preposition to move or cause to move gradually upwards
4. to manipulate or mix into a specified object or shape
5. to gain knowledge of or skill at (a subject)

Word History and Origins

Origin of work-up¹

Noun use of verb phrase work up

Example Sentences

You can also work up an appetite with a beach volleyball tournament or rock out to your favorite local band.

From The Daily Beast

There were fine reporters such as Matthew Lysiak of the New York Daily News doing creditable work up there.

From The Daily Beast

Somehow authors can always be counted on to work up tremendous appetites.

From The Daily Beast

But they still made us push 'em out, lift the boat, to work up an appetite, I suppose.

From The Daily Beast

With him one is at high pressure all the time, and I have gained a good many more ideas from him than I can work up in a hurry.

From Project Gutenberg

Until we work up some weeks' reserve of water, food and cartridges, I shan't sleep sound.

From Project Gutenberg

It wouldn't do even you any good to work up a reform party, and your abilities are to his as a thousand to one.

From Project Gutenberg

Suppose I insidiously work up a reform movement in this State, and am shot into Congress over the head of the machine?

From Project Gutenberg

After dinner a humorous old hard case mysteriously took us aside and said he had a good yarn which we might be able to work up.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• agitate
• animate
• excite
• get up
• inflame
• rouse