A labourer employed on hire for a limited time (Job 7:1; 14:6; Mark 1:20). His wages were paid as soon as his work was over (Lev. 19:13). In the time of our Lord a day's wage was a "penny" (q.v.) i.e., a Roman denarius (Matt. 20:1-14).
·adj Serving for hire or wages; venal; mercenary. II. Hireling ·noun One who is hired, or who serve...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language