Strive , n.
1. An effort; a striving. [R.]
Chapman.
2. Strife; contention.
[Obs.] Wyclif (luke xxi. 9).
Strive (?), v. i. [imp.
Strove (?); p. p. Striven (?)
(Rarely, Strove);
p. pr. & vb. n.
Striving.]
[OF.
estriver; of Teutonic
origin, and akin to G.
streben, D. streven, Dan. stræbe, Sw. sträfva. Cf. Strife.] 1. To make efforts; to use exertions; to endeavor with earnestness; to labor hard.
Was
for this his ambition strove
To equal Cæsar first, and after, Jove?
Cowley.
2. To struggle in opposition; to be in contention or dispute; to contend; to contest; -- followed by against or with before the person or
thing opposed; as, strive against temptation; strive
for the truth. Chaucer.
My Spirit shall not always strive with man.
Gen. vi. 3. Why dost thou
strive against him?
Job xxxiii.
13. Now private pity strove with public hate,
Reason with rage, and eloquence with fate.
Denham.
3. To vie;
to compete; to be a rival. Chaucer.
[Not] that sweet grove
Of Daphne, by
Orontes and the inspired
Castalian spring, might with this paradise
Of Eden strive.
Milton. Syn. -- To contend; vie; struggle; endeavor; aim.
Hear it pronounced