English
endeavor
Pronunciation
  • (British) IPA: /ɪnˈdɛv.ə/
  • (America) IPA: /ɛnˈdɛv.ɚ/
Noun

endeavor (plural endeavors) (American spelling)

  1. A sincere attempt; a determined or assiduous effort towards a specific goal; assiduous or persistent activity.
Translations Translations Verb

endeavor (endeavors, present participle endeavoring; past and past participle endeavored) (American spelling)

  1. (obsolete) To exert oneself. [15th-17th c.]
    • 1709, [Alexander Pope], An Essay on Criticism, London: Printed for W. Lewis […], published 1711, OCLC 15810849 ↗:
      And such were Prais'd who but endeavour'd well.
  2. (intransitive) To attempt through application of effort (to do something); to try strenuously. [from 16th c.]
    • 1748, David Hume, Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral (London: Oxford University Press, 1973), § 2:
      The other species of philosophers consider man in the light of a reasonable rather than an active being, and endeavour to form his understanding more than cultivate his manners.
  3. (obsolete, transitive) To attempt (something). [16th-17th c.]
    • It is our duty to endeavour the recovery of these beneficial subjects.
    • 1669 May 18, Sir Isaac Newton, Letter (to Francis Aston):
      If you be affronted, it is better, in a foreign country, to pass it by in silence, and with a jest, though with some dishonour, than to endeavour revenge; for, in the first case, your credit's ne'er the worse when you return into England, or come into other company that have not heard of the quarrel.
  4. To work with purpose.
Synonyms Translations Translations

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