Webster's English Dictionary

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wage

1. wage \'wa-j\ vb [ME wagen to pledge, give as security, fr. ONF wagier, 
   fr. wage)X : to engage in or carry on {~ war ~ a campaign}  : to be in 
   process of beig waged 
2. wage n [ME, pledge, wage, fr. ONF, of Gmc origin; akin to Goth wadi 
   pledge - m]ore at WED 1a: a payment usu. of money for labor or services 
   usu. according to contrac t and on an hourly, daily, or piecework basis pl  
   1b: the share of the national product attributable to labor as a factor in  
   production 2: RECOMPENSE, REWARD - usu. used in pl. but sing. or pl. in  
   constr. {the ~s of sin is death -Rom 6:23 (RSV)MPAY, HIRE, EMOLUMENT mean 
   the price paid for services or labor. WAGE or WAGES applies to an amount 
   paid daily or weekly esp. for chiefly physical labor; SALARY and STIPEND 
   apply to a fixed amount paid for services requiring training or special 
   ability; FEE applies to the price asked or paid for the services of a 
   physician, lawyer, artist, or other professional; PAY may apply to wages or 
   salaries but often specif. to those of the military services; HIRE is 
   archaic for WAGE or PAY; EMOLUMENT may suggest rewards, other than pay, of 
   one's work or office SYN syn WAGE or WAGES, SALARY, STIPEND, FEE, (