n. 1. A conscientious or concerted effort toward an end; an earnest attempt. 2. Purposeful or industrious activity; enterprise. v. en·deav·ored, en·deav·or·ing, en·deav·ors v.tr. To attempt (fulfillment of a responsibility or an obligation, for example) by employment or expenditure of effort: endeavored to improve the quality of life in the inner city. v.intr. To work with a set or specified goal or purpose. [Middle English endevour, from endeveren, to make an effort, from (putten) in dever, (to put oneself) in duty, make it one's duty : in, in; see IN1 + dever, duty (from Old French deveir, devoir, duty; see DEVOIR).] en·deavor·er n. |
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