manpower, v. Austral. and N.Z. colloq. ? Now Hist.
(ˈmænpaʊə(r))
[f. man-power s.v. man n.1 20 a.]
trans. To conscript for non-military service as part of the war effort. Freq. in pass.
| 1959 D. Hewett Bobbin Up (1961) ii. 22 I've worked in the mill ever since they manpowered me durin' the war. 1976–7 Art N.Z. Dec./Jan. 43/1 Pacifists were sent to camps or manpowered to essential industries. 1984 J. Frame Angel at my Table iv. 35 During the summer of that year other students and I were ‘manpowered’ to pick raspberries on Whittakers' farm at Millers Flat. |