endeavour

Everyday

1. (noun, formal) A serious effort or attempt to do something: «a new endeavour». tree →
2. (verb, formal) To try hard to do something: «We endeavour to help all pupils». tree →
3. (noun) Hard work towards a goal: «human endeavour». tree →

In the lessons

A formal exam and school-report word: «He endeavours to do his best». In history: Captain Cook's ship was called the Endeavour; space endeavours. Phrases: «endeavour to», «in all your endeavours», «human endeavour», «make every endeavour».

Examples

• We endeavour to answer every letter. tree →
• Climbing the mountain was a great endeavour. tree →
• Good luck in all your future endeavours! tree →
• Captain Cook sailed the Endeavour to Australia and New Zealand. tree →
• The space station is a triumph of human endeavour. tree →
• She endeavoured to finish the race despite her sore knee. tree →
• The other Centaurs, following his example, each endeavoured to capture a maiden. tree →

Note

British spelling «endeavour»; American «endeavor». Formal; in speech say «try», «effort». Verb takes «to + verb»: «endeavour to help». Pronounced en-DEV-er.

In Jewish tradition

In these texts it means a deed or doing, the way a person acts, and not only a hard try. The psalmist asks God to repay people for what they have actually done.

Interpretation. Tradition reads the verse as a plea for fair justice, with God repaying people according to their deeds. It is not a wish for cruelty.

Examples

• Give them according to their deeds, and according to the evil of their endeavours; give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert. (Writings PSA.28.4, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

British spelling «endeavour»; American «endeavor». Formal; in speech say «try», «effort». Verb takes «to + verb»: «endeavour to help». Pronounced en-DEV-er.