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Webster 1913 Edition

Industry

In′dus-try

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Industries
(#)
.
[L.
industria
, cf.
industrius
diligent; of uncertain origin: cf. F.
industrie
.]
1.
Habitual diligence in any employment or pursuit, either bodily or mental; steady attention to business; assiduity; – opposed to
sloth
and
idleness
;
as,
industry
pays debts, while idleness or despair will increase them
.
We are more industrious than our forefathers, because in the present times the funds destined for the maintenance of
industry
are much greater in proportion to those which are likely to be employed in the maintenance of idleness, than they were two or three centuries ago.
A. Smith.
2.
Any department or branch of art, occupation, or business; especially, one which employs much labor and capital and is a distinct branch of trade;
as, the sugar
industry
; the iron
industry
; the cotton
industry
.
Syn. – Diligence; assiduity; perseverance; activity; laboriousness; attention. See
Diligence
.

Webster 1828 Edition

Industry

IN'DUSTRY

,
Noun.
[L. industria.] Habitual diligence in any employment, either bodily or mental; steady attention to business; assiduity; opposed to sloth and idleness. We are directed to take lessons of industry from the bee. Industry pays debts, while idleness or despair will increase them.

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