labor¹

1. Labor is the toil which requires strength and causes weariness, like πόνος; molestia (from μόλις, μαλερός) the trouble which, by its greatness or unseasonableness, dispirits, like χαλεπότης; ærumna (αἰρομένη) the hardship that almost exceeds human strength, and bows down even the hero, like ταλαιπωρία; an antiquated, half-poetical expression, in Cic. Fin. ii. 35, and Quintil. viii. 3, 26. Cic. Fin. v. 32. Ut ubi virtus sit resque magnæ et summe laudabiles virtute res gestæ, ibi esse miseria et ærumna non possit, tamen labor possit, possit molestia. (iv. 422.) 2. Laborare denotes, as an intransitive verb, to be in a state of trouble and toil; but elaborare, as a transitive verb, to produce something by trouble and toil. (i. 116.)

1. Opera (from περᾶν, πράσσειν,) denotes activity without intense exertion, as merely doing, or turning one’s hand to, something, in opp. to momentary inactivity; and also in opp. to thinking, speaking, advising, like ἐργασία; whereas labor denotes strenuous exertion, which is followed by fatigue, labor, in opp. to pleasure, like πόνος. Plaut. Aul. iii. 3. 7. Opera huc est conducta vestra, non oratio: comp. with Bacch. iii. 6, 11. Cic. Rep. i. 9. Otiosiorem opera quam animo. Liv. xxii. 22. Ut opera quoque impensa consilium adjuvem meum. And Liv. v. 4. Labor voluptasque dissimillima natura, societate quadam naturali inter se sunt conjuncta: comp. with Cic. Mur. 35. Plin. Ep. ix. 10. Senec. Tranq. 2. 2. Industria, gnavitas, and sedulitas, denote activity as an habitual quality, in opp. to the love of idleness; industria, of an elevated sort, the impulse to activity that animates the hero or the statesman, in opp. to ignavia, gnavitas (γενναιότης) of a useful sort, the diligence of ordinary men, and of the industrious citizen; sedulitas (sine dolore) an activity that shows itself in small matters, often even of a comic sort, the indefatigable bustling of the busy housewife, of the good-natured nurse, of any one who pays officious court to another. Colum. xii. præf. 8. Ut cum forensibus negotiis matronalis sedulitas industriæ rationem parem faceret. 3. Assiduitas and diligentia denote industry; assiduitas (from sedere) like συνέχεια, more in an extensive sense with continued and uninterrupted efforts; diligentia, (ἀλέγειν) more in an intensive sense, with careful and close application, in order to attain the end of one’s industry. 4. Studium denotes inclination and love towards the object of one’s industry, and an inward impulse. (i. 111.)

Labi (from λείβω) means to fall, with reference to the point from which, and to the space through which, any one glides or sinks down, like ὀλισθεῖν; whereas cadere means to fall, with reference to the point which a man reaches by his fall, as to come to the ground, like πεσεῖν. Virg. Æn. vi. 310. Lapsa cadunt folia. Cic. Brut. 49. Quibus vitiis labatur aut cadat orator. (i. 128.)

Fluere (φλύω) denotes flowing, with reference to the motion of the fluid; manare (from μανός, or madere,) with reference to the imparting of the fluid; and liquere, with reference to the nature of the fluid. The cause of the fluendi is, that the fluid has no dam, and according to the law of gravity flows on; whereas the cause of the manandi is the over-fulness of the spring; lastly, liquere, to be fluid, is the negative state of fluere and manare. Hence fluere, with its synonyme labi, is more opposed to hærere and stare; and moreover labari, with its synonyme effundi, more opposed to contineri, claudi; lastly, liquere, with its synonyme dissolvi, more opposed to concrevisse, rigere. Gell. xvii. 11. Plato potum dixit defluere ad pulmonem, eoque satis humectato, demanare per eum, quia sit rimosior, et confluere inde in vesicam. (ii. 1.)

Labare (the ancient Gothic word, slipan, from λωφᾶν), denotes tottering, with reference to the whole body, which rests on no firm basis; titubare (from ταφεῖν, τυφλός), with reference to the feet, which refuse their service, and stagger; vacillare (ἧκα) with reference to the upper part of the body, which wants its upright, steady, secure position; lastly, nutare (from νεύειν) with reference to the head, which seems ready to fall off. The titubans threatens to sink to the ground; the vacillans, to fall over. Titubatio betrays bodily weakness; vacillatio, want of external dignity, and a steady carriage. (iii. 62.)