busywork

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

busywork
    n 1: active work of little value; "while he was waiting he
         filled the days with busywork" [syn: {busywork}, {make-
         work}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

make-work \make-work\ n.
   Active work of litle value, such as assignments given by
   teachers to students to keep them busy while the teacher
   performs other tasks, or chores performed to while away time;
   also called {busywork}.

   Syn: busywork.
        [WordNet 1.5 +PJC]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

busywork \busywork\ n.
   active work of little value, performed merely to occupy time,
   avoid boredom, or to look busy; as, while he was waiting he
   filled the days with busywork.

   Syn: make-work.
        [WordNet 1.5 +PJC]

from Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

24 Moby Thesaurus words for "busywork":
      assignment, chare, charge, chore, commission, duty, errand,
      exercise, fish to fry, homework, job, job of work, labor,
      make-work, matters in hand, mission, odd job, piece of work,
      project, service, stint, task, things to do, work

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