a. [ L. operosus, fr. opera pains, labor, opus, operis, work, labor. ] Wrought with labor; requiring labor; hence, tedious; wearisome. “Operose proceeding.” Burke. “A very operose calculation.” De Quincey. -- Op"er*ose`ly, adv. -- Op"er*ose`ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]