different between workbasket vs basketwork

English

Etymology

From work +? basket.

Noun

workbasket (plural workbaskets)

1. A basket used to hold materials for needlework, etc.
   • 1771, Tobias Smollett, The Expedition of Humphry Clinker, London: Harrison & Co., 1785, Volume 1, p. 42,^[1]

     […] I missed three quarters of blond-lace, and a remnant of muslin, and my silver-thimble; which was the gift of true love. They were all in my work-basket, that I left upon the table in the sarvants-hall when mistresses bell rung […]

   • 1868, Louisa May Alcott, Little Women, Boston: Roberts Brothers, 1869, Volume 1, Chapter 1, p. 21,^[2]

     They talked over the new plan while old Hannah cleared the table; then out came the four little work-baskets, and the needles flew as the girls made sheets for Aunt March.

   • 1932, Graham Greene, Stamboul Train, Vintage, 2004, Chapter 1,

     ‘My husband’s so modern,’ she said with fear and pride. Then her pride went out, and with her hands plunged in her workbasket, among the buttons and the balls of wool, she said, ‘He may not want to come back for me.’

Translations

Anagrams

• basket work, basket-work, basketwork

English

Etymology

basket +? work

Noun

basketwork (usually uncountable, plural basketworks)

1. Material woven in the style of a basket.

   Synonyms: wicker, wickerwork

   • 1671, John Burbury, A Relation of the Journey of the Right Honourable My Lord Henry Howard from London to Vienna, and thence to Constantinople, London: T. Collins et al., p. 172,^[1]

     The Village Walls resemble those in Hungary, but are something worse, being only long Stakes thrust into the Ground, and crossed through like Basket-work, and so dawbed all over on both sides with Mud and Dirt.

   • 1950, Mervyn Peake, Gormenghast, Penguin, 1969, Chapter 50, p. 324,^[2]

     Once again he leaned forward, his hands grasping the basket-work rim of his chair.

2. The craft of making such material.

   Synonyms: basketry, basket weaving

   • 1980, Michael Howell and Peter Ford, The True History of the Elephant Man, Penguin, Chapter 9, p. 123,^[3]

     In one of his letters to Mrs Kendal, Joseph mentioned that he hoped one day to be able to learn basket work. She promptly arranged for an instructor to teach him the craft.

Alternative forms

• basket work
• basket-work

Translations

Anagrams

• workbasket