English

make-work

/ˈmeɪkwəːk/
An activity or task assigned or undertaken for the sake of activity or busy-ness, rather than because of a particular need.

    Etymology graph

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    • borrowed
    • derived
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    • meaning component
    • sound component
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    React Flow

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    Origin

    From make + work.

    From Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

    Lineage

    • partEnglishmake “To build, construct, produce, or originate.”
      • derivedMiddle Englishmacen
        • derivedOld Englishmacian “to build, make, work”
      • inheritedMiddle Englishmake
        • inheritedOld Englishġemaca “a mate, an equal, companion, peer”
    • partEnglishwork “Labour, occupation, job.”
      • inheritedMiddle Englishwerk
        • inheritedOld Englishweorc
        • inheritedOld Englishwærc
      • inheritedMiddle Englishworchen “to work”
        • inheritedOld Englishwyrċan “to work”

    Sources