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eyeservice

[ ahy-sur-vis ]
/ ˈaɪˌsɜr vɪs /
|

noun

work or service done only when the employer is watching.

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Nearby words

  1. eyes in the back of one's head, have,
  2. eyes left,
  3. eyes open, with,
  4. eyes right,
  5. eyes-only,
  6. eyeshade,
  7. eyeshine,
  8. eyeshot,
  9. eyesight,
  10. eyesome

Origin of eyeservice

First recorded in 1520–30; eye + service1
Related formseye·serv·ant, eye·serv·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for eye-service

  • Those who undertake the task are only actuated by gain, and you can expect but eye-service.

    Olla Podrida|Frederick Marryat (AKA Captain Marryat)

  • Nor was this an unwilling obedience, an eye-service constrained by fear or force.

    The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 15, No. 91, May, 1865|Various

  • His was no eye-service; his conscience was engaged in his work and he did it efficiently.

    Verner's Pride|Mrs. Henry Wood

Word Origin and History for eye-service

eye-service

n.

"work done only under inspection or while the master is watching," 1530s, from eye (n.) + service (n.1). Related: Eye-servant.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper