Endeavor
/enˈdɛvər/noun
To try hard to achieve or accomplish something.
Did you know?Endeavor entered English through the medieval phrase “put oneself in devoir,” meaning to place oneself under an obligation to act.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*deh₁-
“To give; the reconstructed root underlying the idea of what is owed.”
Classical Latin
Latin
dēbeō
“I owe; I am under an obligation.”
Old French
Old French
deveir / devoir
“Duty, obligation; to owe.”
Middle English
English
endeveren
“To make an effort or exert oneself, from the phrase “put in devoir.””
15th Century
English
endeavour
“To attempt or strive earnestly; the British spelling became established.”
Modern English
English
endeavor
“To try hard to accomplish something; the American spelling.”