waterwork
nounUK /ˈwɔːtəˌwəːk/ · US /ˈwɔtɚˌwɚk/
Etymology From Late Middle English [Term?], analysable as water + work.
1
A machine or mechanism for raising or carrying water.
3
Some action or activity done on, in, or using water.
4
Art, Arts A style of painting executed in distemper or size, on canvas or a wall, intended to resemble a tapestry; (countable) such a painting.
- [F]or thy wals a pretty ſleight drollery, or the ſtorie of the prodigal, or the Iarman hunting in waterworke, is worth a thouſand of theſe bed-hangers, and theſe flie bitten tapeſtrie, let it be x. ♇ [i.e., ten pounds] if thou canſt: [...]c. 1596–1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, The Second Part of Henrie the Fourth, […], quarto edition, London: […] V[alentine] S[immes] for Andrew Wise, and William Aspley, published 1600, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]:
› Alternative form of waterworks.
5
Historical A hydraulic apparatus by which a supply of water is furnished for ornamental purposes; also, an ornamental fountain or waterfall.
6
Business, Construction, Manufacturing Archaic Engineering works relating to the conveyance and flow of fluids (principally water), such as the collection and distribution of water, drainage, irrigation, etc.