We thought, Sir, that the utmost which the discontented Colonies could do was to disturb authority; we never dreamt they could of themselves supply it-knowing in general what an Operose business it is to establish a government absolutely new.
"Burke's Speech on Conciliation with America"
Edmund Burke
It seems to me a circuitous and Operose way of relieving myself to put upon your community the emancipation which I ought to take on myself.
"Recollections and Impressions 1822-1890"
Octavius Brooks Frothingham
Some of the Xenia are far-fetched and Operose, while others sound rather vacuous.
"The Life and Works of Friedrich Schiller"
Calvin Thomas