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.
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.
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.
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.
