laboring oar

noun

: a part or task requiring greater effort than others
the officer who pulls the laboring oar in the club's activities

Word History

Etymology

from laboring, present participle of labor entry 2

First Known Use

1709, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of laboring oar was in 1709

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Dictionary Entries Near laboring oar

laboringly

laboring oar

labor-intensive

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Laboring oar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laboring%20oar. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

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