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eyeservice

[ahy-sur-vis]
noun
  1. work or service done only when the employer is watching.
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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. 2018

Examples from the Web for eye-service

Historical Examples of eye-service

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

    Verner's Pride

    Mrs. Henry Wood

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

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

    Olla Podrida

    Frederick Marryat (AKA Captain Marryat)

Word Origin and History for eye-service

n.

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

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper