Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun Work in road-making, the construction of public buildings, or the like, put in hand for the purpose of affording employment to the poor in times of public distress.
Etymologies
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Examples
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Clara Barton, in her seventy-seventh year, who followed to the fever-ridden tropics to lead in the relief-work on Spanish battle-grounds.
Ten American Girls From History Kate Dickinson Sweetser
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In abnormal circumstances, such as are caused by a widespread depression of industry, the evil may be met by a special effort on the part of the voluntary agencies or by municipalities or other bodies providing temporary relief-work.
The Children: Some Educational Problems Alexander Darroch
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It is interesting also to find relief-work in terracotta as well as painting on a plane surface.
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American relief-work and Mr. Hoover enjoy great prestige, and altogether there is for the time being the atmosphere of an enduring friendship.
Europe—Whither Bound? Being Letters of Travel from the Capitals of Europe in the Year 1921 Stephen Graham 1929
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San Francisco after the earthquake, and who had also had charge of the relief-work necessitated by the Ohio floods at Dayton.
Out To Win The Story of America in France Coningsby Dawson 1921
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The graphic and textile arts are grouped with that of painting; with sculpture, ceramics, relief-work, and every kind of engraving; the lesser decorative arts with painting and architecture.
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 1: Aachen-Assize 1840-1916 1913
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Both ecclesiastical relief-work and social politics are indispensable for society; they act and react on each other.
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 12: Philip II-Reuss 1840-1916 1913
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Arbuthnot's returned already; Ellis and Clay are putting the last touches to a new feeder-line the Government's built as relief-work.
The Day's Work - Volume 1 Rudyard Kipling 1900
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Arbuthnot's returned already; Ellis and Clay are putting the last touches to a new feeder-line the Government's built as relief-work.
The Kipling Reader Selections from the Books of Rudyard Kipling Rudyard Kipling 1900
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Then in the evening he pitches in a twenty-page demi-official to me, saying that the people where he is might be "advantageously employed on relief-work," and suggesting that he put 'em to work on some broken-down old reservoir he's discovered, so as to have a good water-supply when the Rains come.
The Kipling Reader Selections from the Books of Rudyard Kipling Rudyard Kipling 1900
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