a-work, advb. phr.
(əˈwɜːk)
Also 4–5 awerke.
[a prep.1 + work.]
At work, in activity; esp. in phr. to set a work.
| c 1375 Wyclif Serm. Sel. Wks. 1871 II. 16 Monkis and freris assenten to werris wiþouten cause and bringen þes lordis awerke, to make hem enemyes. 1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 54/4 Provostes and maystres..to sette them awerke. 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. ciii. 124 They helde the Englysshe archers well aworke all the day. 1600 Rowlands Let. Humours Bl. i. 47 Setting his mynt aworke to coyne false tales. 1855 Browning Saul in Men & Women II. 121 The throe That a-work in the rock, helps its labour. |