Of a person: that works or labours; engaged in work; having paid employment. In later use also: engaged in manual or industrial work; working-class.

Of pain or other sensation: Not keen or intense; slightly or indistinctly felt.

Of a physical sensation, as pain, thirst, etc.: gnawing, causing persistent discomfort.

Bereft of sensation or vitality; benumbed, insensible. Of pain: dull and continuous, as opposed to sharp and sudden pain.

Full of aches; suffering from continuous dull pain.