woodwork
UK: ˈwʊd.wɜːk | US: ˈwʊd.wɝːk
n. 1. The craft or skill of making objects from wood.
n. 2. The wooden parts of a structure (e.g., doors, panels).
n. 3. (Idiomatic) "Come out of the woodwork": to appear suddenly after being hidden or unnoticed.
The word "woodwork" combines "wood" (Old English wudu, meaning "tree" or "forest") and "work" (Old English weorc, meaning "labor" or "creation"). It emerged in Middle English to describe both the craft of shaping wood and the wooden components of buildings. The idiomatic phrase "come out of the woodwork" metaphorically likens unexpected appearances to insects emerging from hidden crevices in wooden structures.
He specializes in fine woodwork, crafting elegant furniture by hand.
The historic house’s original woodwork has been carefully restored.
After the scandal, critics came out of the woodwork to condemn the politician.
She sanded the woodwork before applying a fresh coat of paint.
The artisan’s woodwork displays remarkable attention to detail.