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strive

[strahyv] /straɪv/
verb (used without object), strove or strived, striven
[striv-uh n] /ˈstrɪv ən/ (Show IPA) or strived, striving.
1.
to exert oneself vigorously; try hard:
He strove to make himself understood.
2.
to make strenuous efforts toward any goal:
to strive for success.
3.
to contend in opposition, battle, or any conflict; compete.
4.
to struggle vigorously, as in opposition or resistance:
to strive against fate.
5.
to rival; vie.
Origin of strive
Middle English
Old French
Germanic
obsolete Dutch
1175-1225
1175-1225; Middle English striven < Old French estriver to quarrel, compete, strive < Germanic; compare obsolete Dutch strijven, German streben to strive
Related forms
striver, noun
strivingly, adverb
interstrive, verb (used without object), interstrove, interstriven, interstriving.
outstrive, verb (used with object), outstrove, outstriven, outstriving.
overstrive, verb (used without object), overstrove, overstriven, overstriving.
restrive, verb (used without object), restrove, restriven, restriving.
unstriving, adjective
Synonyms
1. See try. 2. toil. 3. struggle, fight.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2017.
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British Dictionary definitions for restrive

strive

/straɪv/
verb strives, striving, strove, striven (ˈstrɪvən)
1.
(may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to make a great and tenacious effort: to strive to get promotion
2.
(intransitive) to fight; contend
Derived Forms
striver, noun
Word Origin
C13: from Old French estriver, of Germanic origin; related to Middle High German streben to strive, Old Norse strītha to fight
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word Origin and History for restrive

strive

v.

c.1200, from Old French estriver "to quarrel, dispute," from estrif, estrit "quarrel" (see strife). It became a strong verb (past tense strove) by rhyming association with drive, etc.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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