the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > [noun] > diligence or industriousness (5)
Application or commitment to a task or purpose; industry, diligence. Obsolete.
Exertion, effort, hard work; diligence or assiduity in the performance of a task; close and steady application to the business in hand.
As a mass noun. Scottish. Industry, work, diligence; an instance of this. Cf. virtuous, adj. 3. Obsolete.
The quality of being industrious or hard-working; = industry, n. 3.