underwork

under- +‎ work

• (verb) IPA^(key): /ˌʌndə(ɹ)ˈwɜː(ɹ)k/

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• (noun) IPA^(key): /ˈʌndə(ɹ)ˌwɜː(ɹ)k/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

underwork (third-person singular simple present underworks, present participle underworking, simple past and past participle underworked or (archaic) underwrought)

1. (transitive) To require too little work from; to work insufficiently.
2. (intransitive, obsolete) To work or operate in secret or clandestinely.
   • 1603 (first performance; published 1605)​, Benjamin Jonson [i.e., Ben Jonson], “Seianus his Fall. A Tragœdie. […]”, in The Workes of Ben Jonson (First Folio), London: […] Will[iam] Stansby, published 1616, →OCLC:

     he raiseth in private a new instrument, one Sertorius Macro, and by him underworketh, discovers the other's counsels

3. (transitive, intransitive) To do less work than necessary (on).

   to underwork a painting

4. (intransitive) To do work for inadequate payment.
5. (transitive) To injure by working secretly; to destroy or overthrow by clandestine measure; to undermine.
   • c. 1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life and Death of King Iohn”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]:

     But thou from loving England art so far,
     That thou hast underwrought his lawful king.

6. (transitive) To do similar work for a lesser price than; to undercut.

   One mason may underwork another.

underwork (uncountable)

1. Subordinate work; petty business.

   the underwork of the nation

• work under