英和和英

語源

From plain +‎ work.

名詞

plain work (uncountable)

1. Basic, non-ornamental work; specifically (now (historical)) simple needlework. [from 13th c.]
   • 1677, Hannah Woolley, The Compleat Servant-Maid, London: T. Passinger, p. 62,^[1]

     If you would fit your self to serve a Gentle woman only, (either in City または Country) you must not only learn how to dress, wash and starch very well, all manner of Tiffanies, Lawns, Points and Laces, and to mend the same, but you must learn to work all sorts of Needle work and plain work […]

   • 1723, Charles Walker, Memoirs of Sally Salisbury, I:

     Sally was put Apprentice to a Sempstress in Duke's-Place near Aldgate, to learn Plain-Work, &c.

   • 1818, [Mary Shelley], Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. […], volume (please specify |volume=I, II, または III), London: […] [Macdonald and Son] for Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor, & Jones, OCLC 830979744:

     She procured plain work; she plaited straw and by various means contrived to earn a pittance scarcely sufficient to support life.