Emily Dickinson Lexicon

STRUG'GLE, v.i. [This word may be formed on the root of stretch, right, &c., which signifies to strain; or more directly on the same elements in L. rugo, to wrinkle, and Eng. wriggle. In W. ystreiglaw, is to turn.]

1. Properly, to strive, or to make efforts with a twisting or with contortions of the body. Hence,
2. To use great efforts; to labor hard; to strive; to contend; as, to struggle to save life; to struggle with the waves; to struggle against the stream; to struggle with adversity.
3. To labor in pain or anguish; to be in agony; to labor in any kind of difficulty or distress. 'Tis wisdom to beware, / And better shun the bait than struggle in the snare. – Dryden.