rail workn.
/ˈreɪl wəːk/, U.S. /ˈreɪl ˌwərk/ 1. The rails of a fence, barrier, etc., esp. made in a decorative style; rails collectively. Cf. rail n.2 1a.
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1759 C. Powys Passages from Diaries Mrs. Powys (1899) 39 The..marble steps, and their iron rail-work surrounding the altar.
1828 Lights & Shades Eng. Life I. 287 A little green cross-barred railwork for mignonette.
1845 Southern Literary Messenger 11 98/2 The front of the house itself is of open fancy iron rail work, elegantly gilded or bronzed.
1901 William & Mary Q. 10 101 The wall which surrounded the house was entered through gates of lofty iron rail work.
2007 Florida Time-Union (Jacksonville) (Nexis) 17 Feb. su13 The unique railwork and crossing shadows formed by the boards on the walkway at the waterfront fixture.
2. The construction or repair of railway lines.
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society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > making or working railroads > [noun]
railroading1835
rail work1845
railworks1870
1845 Times 20 Sept. 6 [The railways'] formation will for some time divert their ‘labour’ to rail work.
1932 Albuquerque (New Mexico) Jrnl. 4 Apr. 2/2 (heading) Spring rail work gives jobs to 300.
1954 Afr. Affairs 53 277 The Minister of Communications..presided at the Roseires railway extension in June, claiming that it was the first rail work since 1926.
2007 Kansas City (Missouri) Star (Nexis) 8 May The rail work took a toll on Amtrak ridership last year.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2008; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1759