endeavor
[en-dev-er]
- to exert oneself to do or effect something; make an effort; strive: We must constantly endeavor if we are to succeed.
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- to attempt; try: He endeavors to keep things neat in his apartment.
- Archaic. to attempt to achieve or gain.
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- a strenuous effort; attempt.
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Also especially British, en·deav·our.
Origin of endeavor
Synonyms
See more synonyms for endeavor on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for endeavour
Contemporary Examples
Why do you think the popularity of the Oxford trinity—Lewis, Morse, and now prequel Endeavour—continues to endure?
Meet ‘Inspector Lewis’: Kevin Whately on ‘Morse,’ John Thaw, and the End of the SeriesJace Lacob
June 14, 2013
He could not have foreseen the drama attending the twice-delayed launch of the shuttle Endeavour.
Apparently, agreement could not be reached, and NASA is now looking for a new launch date—likely, April 29—for the Endeavour.
But this was compounded by the core characteristic of the Nazi endeavour: its ideology.
Historical Examples
My conduct must then have a faulty appearance at least, and I will endeavour to rectify it.
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
If I have not, when my mind is more at ease, I will endeavour to please you better.
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
You may be sure, interrupted my uncle Harlowe, he will endeavour to see her there.
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
I was for going to Wiscasset, like two prodigals, own our fault, and endeavour to amend.
Ned MyersJames Fenimore Cooper
This answer we must endeavour both to explain and to defend.
endeavour
US endeavor
- to try (to do something)
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- an effort to do or attain something
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Word Origin
C14: endeveren, from en- 1 + -deveren from dever duty, from Old French deveir; see devoirs
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
Word Origin and History for endeavour
endeavor
v.
c.1400; see endeavor (n.). Related: Endeavored; endeavoring.
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endeavor
n.
early 15c., "pains taken to attain an object," literally "in duty," from phrase put (oneself) in dever "make it one's duty" (a partial translation of Old French mettre en deveir "put in duty"), from Old French dever "duty," from Latin debere "to owe" (see debt). One's endeavors meaning one's "utmost effort" is from late 15c.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper