As a Numidian lion, when first caught, Endures the toil
that holds him. --Denham.
Then toils for beasts, and lime for birds, were found.
--Dryden.
2. To labor; to work; -- often with out. [R.]
Places well toiled and husbanded. --Holland.
[I] toiled out my uncouth passage. --Milton.
My task of servile toil. --Milton.
After such bloody toil, we bid good night. --Shak.
Note: Toil is used in the formation of compounds which are
generally of obvious signification; as, toil-strung,
toil-wasted, toil-worn, and the like.
Syn: Labor; drudgery; work; exertion; occupation; employment;
task; travail.
Usage: {Toil}, {Labor}, {Drudgery}. Labor implies strenuous
exertion, but not necessary such as overtasks the
faculties; toil denotes a severity of labor which is
painful and exhausting; drudgery implies mean and
degrading work, or, at least, work which wearies or
disgusts from its minuteness or dull uniformity.
You do not know the heavy grievances, The toils,
the labors, weary drudgeries, Which they impose.
--Southern.
How often have I blessed the coming day, When
toil remitting lent its turn to play.
--Goldsmith.