Toilsomely, /ˈtɔɪlsəmli/, is a word that describes something that is done in a difficult, strenuous, or laborious manner. Its spelling follows the typical English pattern of adding the suffix "-ly" to the adjective "toilsome." The "oi" sound in "toil" is pronounced /ɔɪ/, while the following "s" is pronounced /s/. The final "e" in "toilsome" is dropped, and the stress is placed on the second syllable of the word, leading to the /li/ sound at the end of the word.
Toilsomely is an adverb that describes an action or activity that is executed with much effort, labor, or hardship. It refers to a process or task that requires intensive physical exertion or mental strain. The word originates from the Middle English term "toilsom," which means "full of labor" or "arduous." The suffix "-ly" is added to convert the adjective "toilsome" into an adverb.
When an action is performed toilsomely, it suggests that it is carried out with great perseverance, persistence, and determination, often in challenging or demanding circumstances. It implies that significant effort and stamina are necessary to achieve a particular goal or complete a task successfully. For example, one could say, "They labored toilsomely in the scorching heat to construct the building within the given deadline."
Toilsomely can also describe an activity that requires mental strain or meticulous attention. It means that the undertaking demands deep concentration, exhaustive analysis, or intricate problem-solving skills. It can often be associated with intellectually taxing or mentally strenuous tasks. For instance, a researcher may conduct experiments toilsomely, meticulously ensuring every variable is controlled and all measurements are accurately recorded.
In summary, toilsomely portrays an action or activity that involves immense physical or mental effort, emphasizing the laborious and arduous nature of the process.
The word "toilsomely" is derived from the noun "toil" + the suffix "-some" + the suffix "-ly".
The noun "toil" originated from the Old French "toiller", which meant "to toil or labor". It can be directly traced back to the Latin word "tudiculare", meaning "to work or be in distress". The Latin term, in turn, stems from "tudicula", signifying "distress, labor, or pain". Old French also had the variation "tuillier", which had a similar meaning.
The suffix "-some" is an English suffix added to adjectives, nouns, and verbs, thus transforming them into adjectives. It indicates the characteristic of being or having the quality described. In this case, "-some" is added to "toil" to indicate the quality of "toiling".