from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Task \Task\ (t[.a]sk), n. [OE. taske, OF. tasque, F. t[^a]che,
for tasche, LL. tasca, taxa, fr. L. taxare to rate, appraise,
estimate. See {Tax}, n. & v.]
1. Labor or study imposed by another, often in a definite
quantity or amount.
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Ma task of servile toil. --Milton.
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Each morning sees some task begin,
Each evening sees it close. --Longfellow.
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2. Business; employment; undertaking; labor.
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His mental powers were equal to greater tasks.
--Atterbury.
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{To take to task}. See under {Take}.
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Syn: Work; labor; employment; business; toil; drudgery;
study; lesson; stint.
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