outwork

noun

type of fortification

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /ˈaʊtwɜːk/ / /ˈaʊtwɝk/ / /aʊtˈwɜːk/ / /aʊtˈwɝk/

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *úd Proto-Germanic *ūt Proto-Germanic *ūt- Old English ūt- Middle English ut- English out- Proto-Indo-European *werǵ- Proto-Indo-European *-om Proto-Indo-European *wérǵom Proto-Germanic *werką Proto-West Germanic *werk Old English weorc Middle English werk English work English outwork From out- + work.

A minor, subsidiary fortification built beyond the main limits of fortification.
“Beyond the castle, scattered outworks offered some protection for the farther-flung peasants.”
Agricultural work done outdoors in the fields.

verb

To work more, faster, or harder than (someone else).
“A few may be able to outsmart him, but no one can outwork him.”
“And I am one of those people who is indefatigable, in the true sense that I beg someone to find someone who can outwork me.”
To work out to a finish; to complete.
“For now three dayes of men were full outwrought, / Since he this hardie enterprize began [...].”