endeavour

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Jump to: navigation, search

Contents

[edit] English

Wikipedia-logo.png
Wikipedia has articles on:

Wikipedia

[edit] Alternative spellings

[edit] Etymology

Recorded since 1417, literally "in duty", from endeveren, to make an effort, from (putten) in dever, (to put oneself) in duty: 'put (oneself) in dever', i.e. "make it one's duty", a partial translation of Old French mettre en deveir "put in duty", itself from dever "duty" (from Latin debere "to owe, must") Middle English endevour, in + dever 'duty' (from Old French deveir, devoir 'duty')

[edit] Pronunciation

[edit] Noun

Singular
endeavour

Plural
endeavours

endeavour (plural endeavours)

  1. A sincere attempt. A determined or assiduous effort towards a specific goal.
  2. Enterprise; assiduous or persistent activity.
    • 1748. David Hume. Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral. London: Oxford University Press, 1973. § 9.
      The like has been the endeavour of critics, logicians, and even politicians :

[edit] Translations

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.

[edit] Verb

Infinitive
to endeavour

Third person singular
endeavours

Simple past
endeavoured

Past participle
endeavoured

Present participle
endeavouring

to endeavour (third-person singular simple present endeavours, present participle endeavouring, simple past and past participle endeavoured)

  1. (transitive) To attempt through application of effort.
  2. (intransitive) To work with purpose.
    • 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.

[edit] Synonyms

  • strive

[edit] Translations