works

Thân thiện

The mechanic carefully examines the internal works of the antique clock.

Definition

Noun 1. The internal mechanism of a device: The moving parts or machinery inside a machine or device. 2. Buildings for carrying on industrial labor; a factory or plant: A place where manufacturing or industrial activity happens. 3. Everything available; the whole collection or set: Used with "the" to mean all the items, parts, or features that are included or possible. 4. (usually with 'the') Performance of moral or religious acts; deeds: Actions, especially good ones, performed as part of one's moral or religious duty. 5. (theology) Salvation by deeds; the reward for good works: The concept that salvation or divine reward is earned through performing good actions.

Usage and Examples

• As the internal mechanism:
  • The clockmaker opened the back of the watch to examine its delicate works.
  • Something is wrong with the works of this old music box; it won't play.
• As an industrial site or factory:
  • The steel works closed down, leaving many people unemployed.
  • He got a job at the chemical works on the edge of town.
• As 'the works' meaning everything:
  • I ordered a pizza with the works—pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, peppers, and extra cheese.
  • For my birthday, I got the works: a cake, presents, and a big party.
• As moral/religious deeds (often formal or theological):
  • She was known for her charitable works and kindness to the poor.
  • His faith is demonstrated through his good works.

Advanced Usage and Notes

• The singular form 'work' is a mass noun referring to labor, effort, or a task. The plural form 'works' often refers to tangible, countable things like mechanisms, factories, or collections of artistic output (e.g., ).
• 'The works' is a very common informal idiom. It can refer to all available options on a menu, every part of a system, or a full set of services (e.g., at a car wash: ).
• In theological contexts, 'works' is a key term in debates about faith versus actions, as in

Variants and Related Words

• Work (noun, uncountable): Activity involving mental or physical effort done to achieve a purpose. (e.g., )
• Work (verb): To engage in physical or mental activity; to function properly. (e.g., )
• Workings (noun, plural): Often synonymous with 'works' when referring to a mechanism, but can also mean the way something operates. (e.g., ).
• Workhouse (noun): A historical institution where the poor were housed and made to work.
• Workyard (noun): A yard or area where work, especially industrial work, is done.

Synonyms

• For : machinery, mechanism, movement, innards, guts (informal).
• For : plant, mill, factory, industrial complex, shop.
• For : the whole shebang, the full treatment, everything, the lot, the whole caboodle.
• For : deeds, actions, acts, doings.

Idioms and Fixed Phrases

• Give someone/something the (full) works: To give someone or something every possible treatment, part, or service.
  • After the marathon, I treated myself to a spa day and got the full works.
• In the works: Being planned, developed, or prepared.
  • A new sequel to the movie is in the works.
• Shoot the works: To spend all of one's money or use all of one's resources.
  • It's our last night on vacation—let's shoot the works and have dinner at that fancy restaurant!

Học thuật

Noun

1. the internal mechanism of a device
2. performance of moral or religious acts
   • salvation by deeds
   • the reward for good works
3. everything available; usually preceded by `the'
   • we saw the whole shebang
   • a hotdog with the works
   • we took on the whole caboodle
   • for $10 you get the full treatment
4. buildings for carrying on industrial labor
   • they built a large plant to manufacture automobiles

Từ đồng nghĩa

• workings
• deeds
• plant
• industrial plant