| endeavor | 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. "A just man that endeavoreth himself to leave all wickedness." Origin: 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 Alternative forms: 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." Synonym: Essay, trial, effort, exertion. See Attempt. Origin: Written also endeavour. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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