Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Endeavor?

\En*deav"or\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Endeavored}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Endeavoring}.] [OE. endevor; pref. en- + dever, devoir, duty, F. devoir: cf. F. se mettre en devoir de faire quelque chose to try to do a thing, to go about it. See {Devoir}, {Debt}.] [Written also {endeavour}.] To exert physical or intellectual strength for the attainment of; to use efforts to effect; to strive to achieve or reach; to try; to attempt. It is our duty to endeavor the recovery of these beneficial subjects. --Ld. Chatham. {To endeavor one's self}, to exert one's self strenuously to the fulfillment of a duty. [Obs.] ``A just man that endeavoreth himself to leave all wickedness.'' --Latimer.
\En*deav"or\, v. i. To exert one's self; to work for a certain end. And such were praised who but endeavored well. --Pope. Note: Usually with an infinitive; as, to endeavor to outstrip an antagonist. He had . . . endeavored earnestly to do his duty. --Prescott. Syn: To attempt; try; strive; struggle; essay; aim; seek.
\En*deav"or\, n. [Written also endeavour.] An exertion of physical or intellectual strength toward the attainment of an object; a systematic or continuous attempt; an effort; a trial. To employ all my endeavor to obey you. --Sir P. Sidney. {To do one's endeavor}, to do one's duty; to put forth strenuous efforts to attain an object; -- a phrase derived from the Middle English phrase ``to do one's dever'' (duty). ``Mr. Prynne proceeded to show he had done endeavor to prepare his answer.'' --Fuller. Syn: Essay; trial; effort; exertion. See {Attempt}.