'Laboring oar' definitions:

Definition of 'Laboring oar'

From: GCIDE
  • Laboring \La"bor*ing\, a.
  • 1. That labors; performing labor; esp., performing coarse, heavy work, not requiring skill also, set apart for labor; as, laboring days. [1913 Webster]
  • The sleep of a laboring man is sweet. --Eccl. v. 12. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Suffering pain or grief. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
  • Laboring oar, the oar which requires most strength and exertion; often used figuratively; as, to have, or pull, the laboring oar in some difficult undertaking. [1913 Webster]