Endeavor \En*deav"or\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Endeavored; p. pr. & vb. n. Endeavoring.]

[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.]

[Written also endeavour.]

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. [Obs.]

``A just man that endeavoreth himself to leave all wickedness.'' --Latimer.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Endeavor \En*deav"or\, v. i. To exert one's self; to work for a certain end.

And such were praised who but endeavored well. --Pope.

Note: Usually with an infinitive; as, to endeavor to outstrip an antagonist.

He had . . . endeavored earnestly to do his duty. --Prescott.

Syn: To attempt; try; strive; struggle; essay; aim; seek.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Endeavor \En*deav"or\, n. [Written also 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.'' --Fuller.

Syn: Essay; trial; effort; exertion. See Attempt.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)