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workhorse - 2 dictionary results

work⋅horse

  [wurk-hawrs]
Use workhorse in a Sentence
–noun
1. a horse used for plowing, hauling, and other heavy labor, as distinguished from a riding horse, racehorse, etc.
2. a person who works tirelessly at a task, assumes extra duties, etc.
Origin:
1535–45; work + horse
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To workhorse
work·horse   (wûrk'hôrs')   
n.  
  1. Something, such as a machine, that performs dependably under heavy or prolonged use: "the 50-year-old DC-3 ... one of aviation's most effective workhorses" (Christian Science Monitor).
  2. A horse that is used for labor rather than for racing or riding.
  3. Informal A person who works tirelessly, especially at difficult or time-consuming tasks.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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