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drudge

noun

/drʌdʒ/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of drudge

An individual who engages in menial, repetitive, and often laborious tasks, typically with little variation or personal fulfillment.
"She felt like a drudge working day in and day out at the factory."

Detailed meaning of drudge

This noun encompasses someone who performs mundane and monotonous work, often lacking intellectual stimulation or creative engagement. A drudge is commonly associated with jobs or roles that require routine and tedious activities, such as cleaning, manual labor, or administrative tasks. The term conveys a sense of relentless toil and a lack of autonomy or excitement in one's work. Drudges often work diligently, but their efforts are often underappreciated or unrecognized, as their contributions may go unnoticed amidst the more glamorous or intellectually demanding aspects of a job or industry.

Example sentences containing drudge

1. The life of a miner is often a drudge with long hours and hard work.
2. The old man considered his garden work a delightful pastime, not a drudge.
3. He hired an assistant to take care of the drudge so he could focus on more important tasks.
4. She turned the boring drudge of housecleaning into an art by adding creative touches to her routine.
5. My grandmother was a drudge in her youth, tirelessly working in the fields.
6. Nobody wants to be stuck in an office doing the same drudge work every day.

History and etymology of drudge

The noun 'drudge' has an etymology rooted in Old English. It is derived from the Old English word 'drēogan,' which meant 'to labor' or 'to toil.' 'Drēogan' is related to the Proto-Germanic word '*dreugan,' which signifies 'to be useful' or 'to be of service.' Over time, the term 'drudge' evolved to describe an individual who engages in menial, repetitive, and often laborious tasks, typically with little variation or personal fulfillment. This transformation reflects the notion that such individuals are often seen as working diligently but without a sense of personal satisfaction or meaningful engagement. The etymology of 'drudge' thus underscores the historical association of this term with laborious and often unfulfilling work, where one's efforts are directed primarily toward utility rather than personal gratification.

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Further usage examples of drudge

1. He managed to rise from the drudge of his early career to a position of prominence.
2. The new intern was not thrilled to be assigned the drudge work of filing and data entry.
3. The chef’s assistant was tired of the constant drudge of chopping and peeling vegetables.
4. Sally dreaded the drudge of exam week and longed for the freedom of summer.
5. If you constantly complain about your daily drudge, it might be time to find a new job.
6. She automated the drudge tasks with a robot, freeing up more time for creative pursuits.
7. The life of a drudge in the Victorian era was fraught with long hours and little pay.
8. The character in the novel was a poor drudge who eventually found a treasure and changed his fate.
9. He felt that the modern education system often turned students into drudges with its emphasis on rote learning.
10. The drudge of daily chores was alleviated by the joy of spending time with her children.
11. The young writer endured years of drudge at a newspaper before his novel became a bestseller.
12. To many, the drudge of office work is balanced out by the camaraderie of coworkers.
13. He found peace in the simple drudge of farm work and chose it over a fast-paced city career.
14. The office drudge handled mundane paperwork all day.
15. She felt like a corporate drudge in her monotonous job.
16. The factory worker grew weary of life as a drudge on the assembly line.
17. The janitor's role in the school was often seen as that of a drudge.
18. He wanted a career with purpose, not one as a nameless drudge.
19. The dishwasher's position in the kitchen felt like that of a drudge.
20. She couldn't stand being a drudge, yearning for creative work.
21. The long hours as a data entry drudge left him drained.
22. The farmhand worked tirelessly, embracing his role as a drudge.
23. The relentless tasks of a caregiver could turn anyone into a drudge.
24. Despite the monotony, some find solace in their role as a drudge.