Emily Dickinson Lexicon

EN-DEAV'OR, v.i. [endev'or.]

1. To exert physical strength or intellectual power, for the accomplishment of an object; to try; to essay; to attempt. In a race, each man endeavors to outstrip his antagonist. A poet may endeavor to rival Homer, but without success. It is followed by after before a noun; as, the Christian endeavors after more strict conformity to the example of Christ.
2. v. t. To attempt to gain; to try to effect. It is our duty to endeavor the recovery of these beneficial subjects. Chatham.