Bodyworks

/ˈbɒdiˌwɜːks/ noun

Definition

The exterior structure or metal covering of a vehicle; the manufacture and assembly of vehicle bodies.

Etymology

Compound of 'body' and 'work' (Old English 'weorc'). 'Bodywork' emerged in the early 20th century with the automotive industry to describe the non-mechanical structural components of vehicles. The plural 'bodyworks' can refer to multiple bodies or to factories where they're made.

Kelly Says

Famous for the British band Bodyworks (and the shop 'Bodyworks'), the term became especially common after WWII when car manufacturing exploded. A 'bodywork shop' is where damaged vehicle bodies get repaired—it's a specialized craft that's part carpentry, part metalworking, and part art.

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