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endeavor

[en-dev-er]
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verb (used without object)
  1. 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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verb (used with object)
  1. to attempt; try: He endeavors to keep things neat in his apartment.
  2. Archaic. to attempt to achieve or gain.
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noun
  1. a strenuous effort; attempt.
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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

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1, 2. See try. 4. See effort.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for endeavouring

Historical Examples

  • And he answered, "I remember it well; but I am not aware that any are endeavouring to entice me."

    Life in London

    Edwin Hodder

  • Because it seemed to me that we were all of us, all day long, endeavouring to stifle the voice.

  • Do not you, who blame my friends for endeavouring to compel me, yourself seek to compel.

    Clarissa, Volume 3 (of 9)

    Samuel Richardson

  • These men I spoke of are trying to discover what other men are endeavouring to conceal.

  • They chatted about the weather, endeavouring to force on a commonplace conversation.

    Therese Raquin

    Emile Zola

Word Origin and History for endeavouring

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