headwork

[ hed-wurk ]

noun

1. mental labor; thought.

headwork

/ ˈhɛdˌwɜːk /

noun

1. mental work
2. the ornamentation of the keystone of an arch

Derived Forms

• ˈheadˌworker, noun

Other Words From

• headworker noun
• headworking noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of headwork¹

First recorded in 1830–40; head + work

Example Sentences

“Both of them — Clyde and his fundamentals, and Byron on the headwork stuff. He’s getting coached as hard as he can, and one thing about Jameis is you know he is going to work.”

From Seattle Times

“Both of them - Clyde and his fundamentals, and Byron on the headwork stuff. He’s getting coached as hard as he can, and one thing about Jameis is you know he is going to work.”

From Washington Times

Then the real headwork begins.

From The Guardian

Headwork is being separated more and more from handwork in the labourer's occupation, and this differentiation of function leads to a hierarchy of wages which affords great opportunity for exploiting the labourer.

From Project Gutenberg

A 4-4-1-1 looks likely, with Van der Vaart stealthily finding space to score – which last season was often created by Peter Crouch's headwork.

From The Guardian