51Թ

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labour

[ ley-ber ]

noun

Chiefly British.


labour

/ ˈɪə /

noun

  1. productive work, esp physical toil done for wages
    1. the people, class, or workers involved in this, esp in contrast to management, capital, etc
    2. ( as modifier )

      a labour dispute

      labour relations

    1. difficult or arduous work or effort
    2. ( in combination )

      labour-saving

  2. a particular job or task, esp of a difficult nature
    1. the process or effort of childbirth or the time during which this takes place
    2. ( as modifier )

      labour pains

  3. labour of love
    something done for pleasure rather than gain
“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

verb

  1. intr to perform labour; work
  2. intr; foll by for, etc to strive or work hard (for something)
  3. intrusually foll byunder to be burdened (by) or be at a disadvantage (because of)

    to labour under a misapprehension

  4. intr to make one's way with difficulty
  5. tr to deal with or treat too persistently

    to labour a point

  6. intr (of a woman) to be in labour
  7. intr (of a ship) to pitch and toss
“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
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Spelling Note

See -or 1.
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Derived Forms

  • ˈdzܰԲ, adverb
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • t·bdzܰ adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of labour1

C13: via Old French from Latin labor; perhaps related to ī to fall
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Upon returning to the White House in January, Trump removed many of the government's inspectors general and has installed acting heads of the watchdogs at the defence, commerce, labour and health departments.

From

"It's really tough because our labour force is the main expense in our business," she said.

From

Research suggests pregnancy at older ages increases the risk of complications during pregnancy and labour.

From

The reliability of the ONS's labour force survey has been an issue for some time.

From

"I told him I was going to Thailand. He thought it was a good plan. He wished me good health and safety," recalled Ko Naing, a 35-year-old labour rights activist.

From

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