- spadework
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/spayd"werrk'/, n.preliminary or initial work, such as the gathering of data, on which further activity is to be based.[1770-80; SPADE1 + WORK]
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Universalium. 2010.
spadework
Look at other dictionaries:
spadework — ► NOUN ▪ hard or routine preparatory work … English terms dictionary
spadework — [spād′wʉrk΄] n. preparatory work for some main project, esp. when tiresome or difficult … English World dictionary
Spadework — Infobox Book | name = Spadework image caption = author = Timothy Findley cover artist = country = Canada language = English genre = Novel publisher = HarperCollins Canada (hardcover) release date = August 30, 2001 media type = Print (Hardcover,… … Wikipedia
spadework — [[t]spe͟ɪdwɜː(r)k[/t]] N SING: usu the N The spadework is the uninteresting work that has to be done as preparation before you can start a project or activity. It is now that the spadework has to be done to lay firm foundations for later success … English dictionary
spadework — spade|work [ˈspeıd wə:k US wə:rk] n [U] hard work that has to be done in preparation before something can happen = ↑legwork ▪ Most of the spadework had been done by 1981 … Dictionary of contemporary English
spadework — noun (U) hard work that has to be done in preparation before something can happen: Credit must go to the researchers, who did a lot of the spadework … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
spadework — noun Date: 1778 1. work done with a spade 2. the hard plain preliminary drudgery in an undertaking … New Collegiate Dictionary
spadework — noun a) Work done by digging with a spade. b) Work done in preparation for something else. Syn: digging, prep, preparatory … Wiktionary
spadework — Synonyms and related words: arrangement, basic training, briefing, clearing the decks, dirty work, donkeywork, drudgery, employment, equipment, fag, familiarization, fatigue, fixing, foundation, grind, groundwork, handiwork, handwork, industry,… … Moby Thesaurus
Spadework — social interaction preliminary to sexual advance … Dictionary of Australian slang
