Unproductive
[ʌnprə'dʌktɪv] or ['ʌnprə'dʌktɪv]
Definition
(adj.) not producing desired results; 'the talks between labor and management were unproductive' .
(adj.) not producing or capable of producing; 'elimination of high-cost or unproductive industries' .
Inputed by Juana--From WordNet
Synonyms and Synonymous
a. Unfruitful, barren, unprolific, sterile, unprocreant, UNPROFITABLE.
Typist: Waldo
Definition
adj. not productive profitable or efficient not effecting some particular result (with of).—adv. Unproduc′tively.—ns. Unproduc′tiveness; Unproductiv′ity.
Checked by Gerald
Examples
- The proprietors and cultivators finally pay both the wages of all the workmen of the unproductive class, and the profits of all their employers. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- In the one way, besides, this expense maintains productive, in the other unproductive hands. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- Mercantile stock is equally barren and unproductive with manufacturing stock. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- It can never be the interest of the unproductive class to oppress the other two classes. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- A visit to the boy suggested itself as a means of gleaning new particulars; though it might be quite unproductive. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- The superior produce of the one class, however, does not, render the other barren or unproductive. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- The sovereign, for example, with all the officers both of justice and war who serve under him, the whole army and navy, are unproductive labourers. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- The whole, or almost the whole public revenue is, in most countries, employed in maintaining unproductive hands. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- They might both maintain indifferently, either productive or unproductive hands. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- It is, therefore, altogether a barren and unproductive expense. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- The rent of land and the profits of stock are everywhere, therefore, the principal sources from which unproductive hands derive their subsistence. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- The letter was not unproductive. Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
- It would depress productive labour, by encouraging too hastily that labour which is altogether barren and unproductive. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- The unproductive class, however, is not only useful, but greatly useful, to the other two classes. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- The rent of houses is paid for the use of an unproductive subject. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- The former as it produces a value, may be called productive, the latter, unproductive labour. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- But, upon this account alone, the denomination of barren or unproductive should seem to be very improperly applied to it. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
Checked by Gerald