English

Adjective

operose ‎(comparative more operose, superlative most operose)

1. Wrought with, requiring, or evidencing a lot of labor; hence, tedious; wearisome.
   • 1662, Edward Stillingfleet, “The Truth of Scripture-History asserted.”, in Origines Sacrae, Or, A Rational Account of the Grounds of Christian Faith, as to the Truth and Divine Authority of the Scriptures, and Matters Therein Contained, 3rd edition, London: R.W. for Henry Mortlock, published 1666, page 103:

     when there was so great reason to make it common, since the square letters are less operose, more expedite and facile, then the Samaritan, which is, when time serves, used as a plea for their great Antiquity.

   • 1759 — Adam Smith, Theory of Moral Sentiments, page 182

     Power and riches appear then to be, what they are, enormous and operose machines contrived to produce a few trifling convenencies to the body.

2. Describing a person who is busy, industrious, or painstaking.
   • 1805, William Godwin, “V”, in Fleetwood; Or, The New Man of Feeling, London: Richard Bentley, published 1853, page 42:

     When this operose and hard-working student descended from his closet, and gained a sort of tacit leave from his tutor to join in the circle of us gay and high-spirited fellows, the part he played was no more advantageous to him, than his former exhibition had been among the learned.

Italian

Adjective

operose

1. feminine plural of operoso

Latin

Adjective

operōse

1. vocative masculine singular of operōsus

References

• operose in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
• operose in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers
• Félix Gaffiot (1934), “operose”, in Dictionnaire Illustré Latin-Français, Paris: Hachette.