Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Plural form of labour.
  • verb Third-person singular simple present indicative form of labour.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • The more I observe Lady C---- the more surprised I am at the romantic feelings she still indulges, and the illusions under which she labours; -- yes _labours_ is the suitable word, for it can be nothing short of laborious, at her age, to work oneself into the belief that love is an indispensable requisite for life.

    The Idler in France Marguerite Blessington 1819

  • The most Obama has to show for his labours is an opening round of direct talks between the two sides, currently on hold.

    Credit to Obama for sticking with the Middle East. But it's gone very wrong Jonathan Freedland in Washington 2010

  • The great error under which Mr. Godwin labours throughout his whole work is the attributing of almost all the vices and misery that prevail in civil society to human institutions.

    Selection from _The Principle of Population_ 2002

  • For Love, in his daily labours, is as swift in averting the nature of perils as he is deft in diverting the causes of misunderstanding.

    Martin Pippin in the Apple Orchard 1921

  • Miss Margland were both acutely incensed with Mandlebert; Dr. Orkborne saw but small reason to expect gratitude for his labours from the supercilious negligence of the boasted young student; Lavinia was disturbed for both her sisters; and Camilla felt that all she valued in life depended upon the next critical hour or two.

    Camilla: or, A Picture of Youth 1796

  • Gentiles against him; in labours, not only in preaching the gospel, but in travelling from place to place for that end, and working with his hands to supply his necessities; in watchings and in fastings, either voluntary or upon a religious account, or involuntary for the sake of religion: but he exercised much patience in all, v. 4, 5.

    Commentary on the Whole Bible Volume VI (Acts to Revelation) 1721

  • The main thing that ministers ought to aim at in their labours is to convince their people of the certainty and excellency of the Christian religion; this the apostles did exhort and testify with all their might.

    Commentary on the Whole Bible Volume VI (Acts to Revelation) 1721

  • (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.

    Commentary on the Whole Bible Volume VI (Acts to Revelation) 1721

  • We live in an age when too many women appear to be ambitious of morally unsexing themselves before society, by aping the language and the manners of men -- especially in reference to that miserable modern dandyism of demeanour, which aims at repressing all betrayal of warmth of feeling; which abstains from displaying any enthusiasm on any subject whatever; which, in short, labours to make the fashionable imperturbability of the face the faithful reflection of the fashionable imperturbability of the mind.

    Basil Wilkie Collins 1856

  • And the tasty product of their labours is welcome on my table when we’ve finished work late and can’t be & rsd cooking.

    God Help Us. The Pies Are Gone! « POLICE INSPECTOR BLOG Inspector Gadget 2009

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