waterwork

plural waterworks

1. countableA machine or mechanism for raising or carrying water.
2. countableartA textile fabric used like tapestry.
3. countableuncountableSome action or activity done on, in, or using water.
4. uncountableartA style of painting executed in distemper or size, on canvas or a wall, intended to resemble a tapestry; (countable) such a painting.

   [F]or thy wals a pretty ſleight drollery, or the ſtorie of the prodigal, or the Iarman hunting in waterworke, is worth a thouſand of theſe bed-hangers, and theſe flie bitten tapeſtrie, let it be x. ♇ [i.e., ten pounds] if thou canſt: [...]

   c. 1596–1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, The Second Part of Henrie the Fourth, […], quarto edition, London: […] V[alentine] S[immes] for Andrew Wise, and William Aspley, published 1600, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]

5. Alternative form of waterworks.
   1. countablehistoricaluncountableA hydraulic apparatus by which a supply of water is furnished for ornamental purposes; also, an ornamental fountain or waterfall.
   2. archaiccountableuncountablebusinessEngineering works relating to the conveyance and flow of fluids (principally water), such as the collection and distribution of water, drainage, irrigation, etc.