Job \Job\ (j[o^]b), n. [Prov. E. job, gob, n., a small piece of
   wood, v., to stab, strike; cf. E. gob, gobbet; perh.
   influenced by E. chop to cut off, to mince. See Gob.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. A sudden thrust or stab; a jab.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A piece of chance or occasional work; any definite work
      undertaken in gross for a fixed price; as, he did the job
      for a thousand dollars.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. A public transaction done for private profit; something
      performed ostensibly as a part of official duty, but
      really for private gain; a corrupt official business.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. Any affair or event which affects one, whether fortunately
      or unfortunately. [Colloq.]
      [1913 Webster]

   5. A situation or opportunity of work; as, he lost his job.
      [Colloq.]
      [1913 Webster]

   6. A task, or the execution of a task; as, Michelangelo did a
      great job on the David statue.
      [PJC]

   7. (Computers) A task or coordinated set of tasks for a
      multitasking computer, submitted for processing as a
      single unit, usually for execution in background. See job
      control language.
      [PJC]

   Note: Job is used adjectively to signify doing jobs, used for
         jobs, or let on hire to do jobs; as, job printer; job
         master; job horse; job wagon, etc.
         [1913 Webster]

   By the job, at a stipulated sum for the work, or for each
      piece of work done; -- distinguished from time work; as,
      the house was built by the job.

   Job lot, a quantity of goods, usually miscellaneous, sold
      out of the regular course of trade, at a certain price for
      the whole; as, these articles were included in a job lot.
      

   Job master, one who lest out horses and carriages for hire,
      as for family use. [Eng.]

   Job printer, one who does miscellaneous printing, esp.
      circulars, cards, billheads, etc.

   Odd job, miscellaneous work of a petty kind; occasional
      work, of various kinds, or for various people.

   to do a job on, to harm badly or destroy. [slang]

   on the job, alert; performing a responsibility well.
      [slang]
      [1913 Webster +PJC]

	

	24 Moby Thesaurus words for "odd job":
   assignment, busywork, chare, charge, chore, commission, duty,
   errand, exercise, fish to fry, homework, job, job of work, labor,
   make-work, matters in hand, mission, piece of work, project,
   service, stint, task, things to do, work