Search Result for "elbow_grease":
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (1)

1. use of physical or mental energy; hard work;
- Example: "he got an A for effort"
- Example: "they managed only with great exertion"
[syn: effort, elbow grease, exertion, travail, sweat]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Elbow \El"bow\, n. [AS. elboga, elnboga (akin to D. elleboga, OHG. elinbogo, G. ellbogen, ellenbogen, Icel. ?lnbogi; prop.; arm-bend); eln ell (orig., forearm) + boga a bending. See 1st Ell, and 4th Bow.] 1. The joint or bend of the arm; the outer curve in the middle of the arm when bent. [1913 Webster] Her arms to the elbows naked. --R. of Gloucester. [1913 Webster] 2. Any turn or bend like that of the elbow, in a wall, building, and the like; a sudden turn in a line of coast or course of a river; also, an angular or jointed part of any structure, as the raised arm of a chair or sofa, or a short pipe fitting, turning at an angle or bent. [1913 Webster] 3. (Arch.) A sharp angle in any surface of wainscoting or other woodwork; the upright sides which flank any paneled work, as the sides of windows, where the jamb makes an elbow with the window back. --Gwilt. [1913 Webster] Note: Elbow is used adjectively or as part of a compound, to denote something shaped like, or acting like, an elbow; as, elbow joint; elbow tongs or elbow-tongs; elbowroom, elbow-room, or elbow room. [1913 Webster] At the elbow, very near; at hand. Elbow grease, energetic application of force in manual labor. [Low] Elbow in the hawse (Naut.), the twisting together of two cables by which a vessel rides at anchor, caused by swinging completely round once. --Totten. Elbow scissors (Surg.), scissors bent in the blade or shank for convenience in cutting. --Knight. Out at elbow, with coat worn through at the elbows; shabby; in needy circumstances. [1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

elbow grease n 1: use of physical or mental energy; hard work; "he got an A for effort"; "they managed only with great exertion" [syn: effort, elbow grease, exertion, travail, sweat]