— wageless , adj. — wagelessness , n.
/wayj/ , n. , v. , waged, waging .
n.
1. Often, wages . money that is paid or received for work or services, as by the hour, day, or week. Cf. living wage, minimum wage .
2. Usually, wages . Econ. the share of the products of industry received by labor for its work (as distinct from the share going to capital).
3. Usually, wages . ( used with a sing. or pl. v. ) recompense or return: The wages of sin is death.
4. Obs. a pledge or security.
v.t.
5. to carry on (a battle, war, conflict, argument, etc.): to wage war against a nation.
6. Chiefly Brit. Dial. to hire.
7. Obs.
a. to stake or wager.
b. to pledge.
v.i.
8. Obs. to contend; struggle.
[ 1275-1325; (n.) ME: pledge, security guage GAGE 1 wadium wagen to pledge wagier; OF guagier wadiare, deriv. of * wadium ]
Syn. 1. earnings, emolument, compensation, remuneration. See pay 1 . 5. undertake, prosecute.