painstaking
|pain/stak/ing|
B2
/ˈpeɪnˌsteɪkɪŋ/
careful effort
Etymology
Etymology Information
'painstaking' originates from the combination of 'pain' and 'staking,' where 'pain' meant 'effort' and 'staking' referred to 'taking great care.'
Historical Evolution
'painstaking' evolved from the Middle English word 'paynstaking,' which combined 'payn' (pain) and 'staking' (taking care).
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'taking great care with effort,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
done with or employing great care and thoroughness.
She was painstaking in her research, ensuring every detail was correct.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45