[job] n [perh. fr. obs. E job lump] (ca. 1627) 1 a: a piece of work; esp: a small miscellaneous piece of work undertaken on order at a stated rate b: the object or material on which work is being done c: something produced by or as if by work "do a better ~ next time" d: an example of a usu. specified type: item "this ~ is round-necked and sleeveless --Lois Long"
2. a: something done for private advantage "suspected the whole incident was a put-up ~" b: a criminal enterprise; specif: robbery c: a damaging or destructive bit of work "did a ~ on him" 3 a (1): something that has to be done: task (2): an undertaking requiring unusual exertion "it was a real ~ to talk over that noise" b: a specific duty, role, or function c: a regular remunerative position d chiefly Brit: state of affairs--used with bad or good "it was a good ~ you didn't hit the old man --E. L. Thomas" syn see task -- on the job : at work
[2]job vb jobbed ; job.bing vi (1694) 1: to do odd or occasional pieces of work for hire
2: to carry on public business for private gain
3: to carry on the business of a middleman or wholesaler ~ vt 1: to buy and sell (as stock) for profit: speculate
2: to hire or let by the job or for a period of service
3: to get, deal with, or effect by jobbery
4: to do or cause to be done by separate portions or lots: subcontract
5: to penalize or deprive unfairly [3]job adj (1710) 1 Brit: that is for hire for a given service or period
2: used in, engaged in, or done as job work "a ~ shop"
3: of or relating to a job or to employment "a guarantee of ~ security" Job n [L, fr. Gk Iob, fr. Heb Iyyobh] 1: the hero of the book of Job who endures afflictions with fortitude and faith
2: a narrative and poetic book of canonical Jewish and Christian Scripture