First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1wage
noun \ˈwāj\
: an amount of money that a worker is paid based on the number of hours, days, etc., that are worked
Full Definition of WAGE
1
a : a payment usually of money for labor or services usually according to contract and on an hourly, daily, or piecework basis —often used in plural b plural : the share of the national product attributable to labor as a factor in production
2
: recompense, reward —usually used in plural but singular or plural in construction <the wages of sin is death — Romans 6:23 (Revised Standard Version)>
— wage·less \ˈwāj-ləs\ adjective
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Origin of WAGE
Middle English, pledge, recompense, from Anglo-French wage, gage, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German wetti pledge — more at wed
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2wage
verb
: to start and continue (a war, battle, etc.) in order to get or achieve something
wagedwag·ing
Full Definition of WAGE
transitive verb
: to engage in or carry on <wage war> <wage a campaign>
intransitive verb
: to be in process of occurring <the riot waged for several hours — American Guide Series: Maryland>
See wage defined for English-language learners
See wage defined for kids
Origin of WAGE
Middle English, to offer surety, put up as a stake, hire, from Anglo-French *wager, gager, from wage
First Known Use: 14th century
WAGE Defined for Kids
1wage
noun \ˈwāj\
Definition of WAGE for Kids
: payment for work done especially when figured by the hour or day
2wage
verb
wagedwag·ing
Definition of WAGE for Kids
: to engage in : carry on <The new police chief vowed to wage a fight against crime.>
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