Job (jŏb), n. [Prov. E. job, gob, n., a small piece of wood, v., to stab, strike; cf. E. gob, gobbet; perh. influenced by E. chop to cut off, to mince. See Gob.]
1. A sudden thrust or stab; a jab.
2. A piece of chance or occasional work; any definite work undertaken in gross for a fixed price; as, he did the job for a thousand dollars.
3. A public transaction done for private profit; something performed ostensibly as a part of official duty, but really for private gain; a corrupt official business.
4. Any affair or event which affects one, whether fortunately or unfortunately.
5. A situation or opportunity of work; as, he lost his job.
☞ Job is used adjectively to signify doing jobs, used for jobs, or let on hire to do jobs; as, job printer; job master; job horse; job wagon, etc.
By the job, at a stipulated sum for the work, or for each piece of work done; — distinguished from time work; as, the house was built by the job. — Job lot, a quantity of goods, usually miscellaneous, sold out of the regular course of trade, at a certain price for the whole; as, these articles were included in a job lot. — Job master, one who lest out horses and carriages for hire, as for family use. — Job printer, one who does miscellaneous printing, esp. circulars, cards, billheads, etc. — Odd job, miscellaneous work of a petty kind; occasional work, of various kinds, or for various people.