waterworks

alternative waterwork · alternative water works · alternative water-works

1. The water supply system of a district, town, city, or other place, including reservoirs, pipes, and pumps.
2. treated as singularAny single facility, such as a filtration plant or pumping station, within such a system.

   She is employed by a waterworks at the outskirts of the city.

3. figurativelyinformalOften in the form turn on the waterworks: crying or tears, especially in a way that is considered manipulative or over-emotional.

   She turned on the waterworks when we told her the old man was dead, but she was asking questions about the will soon enough.

4. figurativelyinformalRain.
5. UKeuphemisticfigurativelyThe genitourinary system.

   Synonyms: plumbing

6. historicaltreated as singularA hydraulic apparatus by which a supply of water is furnished for ornamental purposes; also, an ornamental fountain or waterfall.

   1 more example

   Resolving to possess myself in some quiet if it might be, in a time of so great jealosy, I built by my Brother's permission a study, made a fishpond, an island, and some other solitudes and retirements, at Wotton, which gave the first occasion of improving them to those water-works and gardens which afterwards succeeded them.

   1643 May 11 (Gregorian calendar), John Evelyn, “[Diary entry for 2 May 1643]”, in William Bray, editor, Memoirs, Illustrative of the Life and Writings of John Evelyn, […], 2nd edition, volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […]; and sold by John and Arthur Arch, […], published 1819, →OCLC, page 30

7. archaicbusinessEngineering works relating to the conveyance and flow of fluids (principally water), such as the collection and distribution of water, drainage, irrigation, etc.

1. pluralplural of waterwork