In a general sense, to move, or to move one way and the other; to perform; as in popular language it is said, a mill or machine works well.

To labor; to be occupied in performing manual labor, whether severe or moderate. One man works better than another; one man works hare; another works lazily.

To be in action or motion; as the working of the heart.

To act; to carry on operations. Our better part remains to work in close design.

To operate; to carry on business; to be customarily engaged or employed in. Some work in the mines, others in the loom, others at the anvil. They that work in fine flax. Isaiah 19:9.

To ferment; as, unfermented liquors work violently in hot weather.

To operate; to produce effects by action or influence. All things work together for good to them that love God. Romans 8:28. This so wrought upon the child, that afterwards he desired to be taught.

To obtain by diligence.

To act or operate on the stomach and bowels; as a cathartic.

To labor; to strain; to move heavily; as, a ship works in a tempest.

To be tossed or agitated. Confusd with working sands and rolling waves.

To enter by working; as, to work into the earth. To work on, to act on; to influence. To work up, to make way. Body shall up to spirit work. To work tot windward, among seamen, to sail or ply against the wind; to beat.

To move; to stir and mix; as, to work mortar.

To form by labor; to mold, shape or manufacture; as, to work wood or iron into a form desired, or into an utensil; to work cotton or wool into cloth.

To bring into any state by action. A foul stream, or new wine or cider, works itself clear.

To influence by acting upon; to manage; to lead. An work your royal father to his ruin.

To make by action, labor or violence. A stream works a passage or a new channel. Sidelong he works his way.

To produce by action, labor or exertion. WIORK. We might work any effect--only by the unity of nature. Each herb he knew, that works or good or ill.

To embroider; as, to work muslin.

To direct the movements of, by adapting the sails to the wind; as, to work a ship.