Emily Dickinson Lexicon

STRIVE, v.i. [pret. strove; pp. striven. G. streben; D. streeven; Sw. sträfva; Dan. stræber; formed perhaps on the Heb. רוב. This word coincides in elements with drive, and the primary sense is nearly the same. See Rival.]

1. To make efforts; to use exertions; to endeavor with earnestness; to labor hard; applicable to exertions of body or mind. A workman strives to perform his task before another; a student strives to excel his fellows in improvement. Was it for this that his ambition strove / To equal Cesar first, and after Jove? – Cowley. Strive with me in your prayers to God for me. – Rom. xv. Strive to enter in at the strait gate. – Luke xiii.
2. To contend; to contest; to struggle in opposition to another; to be in contention or dispute; followed by against or with before the person or thing opposed; as, strive against temptation; strive for the truth. My spirit shall not always strive with man. – Gen. vi.
3. To oppose by contrariety of qualities. Now private pity strove with public hate, / Reason with rage, and eloquence with fate. – Derham.
4. To vie; to be comparable to; to emulate; to contend in excellence. Not that sweet grove / Of Daphne by Orontes, and the inspir'd / Castalian spring, might with this paradise / Of Eden strive. – Milton.