noun pl. industries -·tries

1. Obsolete
   1. skill or cleverness
   2. the application of this
2. earnest, steady effort; constant diligence in or application to work
3. systematic work; habitual employment
4. 1. any particular branch of productive, esp. manufacturing, enterprise the paper industry
   2. any large-scale business activity the tourist industry
5. 1. manufacturing productive enterprises collectively, esp. as distinguished from agriculture
   2. the owners and managers of industry

Etymology: LME < MFr industrie < L industria < industrius, active, industrious < *indo-struus < OL endo (> L in) + struere, to pile up, arrange: see strew