English Explanatory Dictionary

forwork

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To forfeit (a possession, privilege, etc.); ruin (oneself) by one's own conduct.
  2. To obstruct; barricade; block.
  3. To do wrong to; injure; scathe.
  4. To overwork; exhaust with toil.

Word forms

forwork forworks forworking forworked forwrought

Etymology

From Middle English forwirken, forwerken, forwurchen, from Old English forwyrċan (“to do wrong, sin; ruin, undo, destroy; condemn, convict, curse; forfeit; barricade, obstruct, close up”), from Proto-Germanic *frawurkijaną, equivalent to for- + work. Cognate with Dutch verwerken (“to digest, assimilate, work up, put into action”), German verwirken (“to forfeit”), Gothic 𐍆𐍂𐌰𐍅𐌰𐌿𐍂𐌺𐌾𐌰𐌽 (frawaurkjan).

Synonyms

shoot oneself in the foot forslow barricade block choke clog close off cumber forwork foul gunk up hamper hinder impede interfere interrupt intervene jam obstruct obturate occlude plug roadblock seal stonewall thwart yield harm wound abuse annoy bewound damage damnify dere do damage to do for do ill do violence to grieve harrow hurt injure maul misdo put someone in hospital scaith scathe vulnerate wet afflict aggrieve do evil do harm ill-treat ill-use make mischief mistreat molest oppress
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