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spadework

noun [U]
 
/ˈspeɪd.wɜːk/ US  /-wɝːk/ UK

Definition

hard, sometimes boring work done in preparation for something: Now that the spadework's all been done, we can start to write the report itself.Work, working and the workplaceWorking hours and periods of work
(Definition of spadework noun from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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