/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, -ING 1 , -ING 2 ]
Syn. 15. usable, practical, operative, functioning.