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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.