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endeavour

 - 3 dictionary results

en⋅deav⋅or

  [en-dev-er]
Use endeavour in a Sentence
–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.
–verb (used with object)
2. to attempt; try: He endeavors to keep things neat in his apartment.
3. Archaic. to attempt to achieve or gain.
–noun
4. a strenuous effort; attempt.
Also, especially British, en⋅deav⋅our.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME endeveren, from the phrase putten in devoir to make an effort, assume responsibility; cf. AF se mettre en deveir. See en- 1 , devoir

Related forms:
en⋅deav⋅or⋅er; especially British, en⋅deav⋅our⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
1, 2. See try. 4. See effort.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To endeavour
en·deav·our   (ěn-děv'ər)   
n.   & v. Chiefly British
Variant of endeavor.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

endeavor 
1417, lit. "in duty," from phrase put (oneself) in dever "make it one's duty" (a partial translation of O.Fr. mettre en deveir "put in duty"), from O.Fr. dever "duty," from L. debere "to owe."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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