from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Job \Job\ (j[o^]b), n. [Prov. E. job, gob, n., a small piece of
wood, v., to stab, strike; cf. E. gob, gobbet; perh.
influenced by E. chop to cut off, to mince. See {Gob}.]
[1913 Webster]
1. A sudden thrust or stab; a jab.
[1913 Webster]
2. A piece of chance or occasional work; any definite work
undertaken in gross for a fixed price; as, he did the job
for a thousand dollars.
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3. A public transaction done for private profit; something
performed ostensibly as a part of official duty, but
really for private gain; a corrupt official business.
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4. Any affair or event which affects one, whether fortunately
or unfortunately. [Colloq.]
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5. A situation or opportunity of work; as, he lost his job.
[Colloq.]
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6. A task, or the execution of a task; as, Michelangelo did a
great job on the David statue.
[PJC]
7. (Computers) A task or coordinated set of tasks for a
multitasking computer, submitted for processing as a
single unit, usually for execution in background. See {job
control language}.
[PJC]
Note: Job is used adjectively to signify doing jobs, used for
jobs, or let on hire to do jobs; as, job printer; job
master; job horse; job wagon, etc.
[1913 Webster]
{By the job}, at a stipulated sum for the work, or for each
piece of work done; -- distinguished from {time work}; as,
the house was built by the job.
{Job lot}, a quantity of goods, usually miscellaneous, sold
out of the regular course of trade, at a certain price for
the whole; as, these articles were included in a job lot.
{Job master}, one who lest out horses and carriages for hire,
as for family use. [Eng.]
{Job printer}, one who does miscellaneous printing, esp.
circulars, cards, billheads, etc.
{Odd job}, miscellaneous work of a petty kind; occasional
work, of various kinds, or for various people.
{to do a job on}, to harm badly or destroy. [slang]
{on the job}, alert; performing a responsibility well.
[slang]
[1913 Webster +PJC]