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/werr"king/, n.1. the act of a person or thing that works.2. operation; action: the involuted workings of his mind.3. the process of shaping a material: The working of clay is easy when it's damp.4. the act of manufacturing or building a thing.5. Usually, workings. a part of a mine, quarry, or the like, in which work is carried on.6. the process of fermenting, as of yeasts.7. a slow advance involving exertion.8. disturbed or twisting motions: The working of his limbs revealed the disease.9. repeated movement or strain tending to loosen a structural assembly or part.adj.10. that works.11. doing some form of work or labor, esp. manual, mechanical, or industrial work, as for a living: a working person.12. operating; producing effects, results, etc.13. pertaining to, connected with, or used in operating or working.14. serving to permit or facilitate continued work: a working model; a working majority.15. adequate for usual or customary needs: a working knowledge of Spanish.16. large enough for working or being worked: a working sample.17. done, taken, etc., while conducting or discussing business: a working lunch.18. Also, work. (of a face or edge, as of a timber or a metal casting) shaped and planed as a reference for further shaping and planing.[1250-1300; ME werking. See WORK, -ING1, -ING2]Syn. 15. usable, practical, operative, functioning.
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Universalium. 2010.