endeavor

[en-dev-er]

verb (used without object)

to exert oneself to do or effect something; make an effort; strive: We must constantly endeavor if we are to succeed.

verb (used with object)

to attempt; try: He endeavors to keep things neat in his apartment.

Archaic. to attempt to achieve or gain.

noun

a strenuous effort; attempt.

Also especially British, en·deav·our.

Origin of endeavor

1350–1400; Middle English endeveren, from the phrase putten in devoir to make an effort, assume responsibility; compare Anglo-French se mettre en deveir. See en-¹, devoir

Related formsen·deav·or·er; especially British, en·deav·our·er, nounpre·en·deav·or, noun

Synonyms for endeavor

1, 2. See try. 4. See effort.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for endeavoured

Historical Examples of endeavoured

Milza endeavoured, in her own artless way, to soothe the distress her words had excited.
Philothea
Lydia Maria Child
I endeavoured to obtain sight of him, but he was so wrapped and clothed that I did not succeed.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327
Various
I could not think of him without shuddering, and I endeavoured to forget him.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327
Various
He endeavoured to put him at ease by changing the conversation.
Tales And Novels, Volume 3 (of 10)
Maria Edgeworth
How often, my dear, have you and I endeavoured to detect and censure this partial spirit in others?
Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson

Word Origin and History for endeavoured

endeavor

c.1400; see endeavor (n.). Related: Endeavored; endeavoring.

endeavor

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.