Meanings
present singular third person laborates · participle present laborating · participle past laborated · past laborated · alternative labourate
- archaicintransitivetransitiveTo produce or develop (something).First known use 1662–1898
In the first station he continued until his private affairs demanded his resignation; but in the last, he laborated affectionately for its promotion to the end of his days.
1895, Thomas G. Morton, “Biographical Sketches of Former Managers”, in The History of the Pennsylvania Hospital: 1751–1895, Philadelphia, P.A.: Times Printing House, page 412, column 12 more examples
So astonishing do we know the effects of electricity to be, combined with the gases, that I rather incline to suppose these massive stones to be 'laborated,' as a chemist would say, in the vast regions of the air; not by the aid of bungling blacksmiths, Charlotte, but by the 'Great First Cause, least understood,' to whose goodness and wisdom we owe all our enjoyments, especially that surpassing happiness of being able to adore Him, and to admire His beautiful creation.
1830, [Isabella Jane Towers], The Wanderings of Tom Starboard; […], London: John Harris, page 152The presence of moisture is doubtless required, because by its elements (hydrogen and oxygen) new and opposite electric agencies are elicited, which acting by induction, produce a play of affinities among the organic elements of the manure, that again reciprocate icith the vital principle of the plants, laborate the matter termed raw sap, and propel it into the spongioles of the roots.
1854 February, J. Towers, “The London Drainage—Its Value and Use”, in The Farmer's Magazine, volume the fifth (third series), London: Rogerson and Tuxford, page 100, column 2
Origin
- Latinlabōrātus
- Englishlaborate
Borrowed from Latin labōrātus, perfect passive participle of labōrō (“to labor, toil”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix).
More words from Latin
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
laborate. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/laborate
“laborate.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/laborate. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “laborate,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/laborate.
Source: laborate on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.