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effort

noun

  1. quantity of exertion
  2. an attempt to do something
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Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /ˈɛf.ət/ / /ˈɛf.ɚt/ / /ˈef.ət/

noun

Etymology: From Middle French effort, from Old French esfort, deverbal of esforcier (“to force, exert”), from Vulgar Latin *exfortiō, from Latin ex + fortis (“strong”). Compare typologically Bulgarian усилие (usilie), Czech úsilí, Polish wysiłek, Russian уси́лие (usílije) (< Proto-Slavic *sila).

  1. The work involved in performing an activity; exertion.

    make an effort

    take a lot of effort

  2. An endeavor.

    Although he didn't win any medals, Johnson's effort at the Olympics won over many fans.

    But was it responsible governance to pass the Longitude Act without other efforts to protect British seamen? Or might it have been subterfuge—a disingenuous attempt to shift attention away from the realities of their life at sea.

  3. A force acting on a body in the direction of its motion.

    the two bodies between which the effort acts

verb

Etymology: From Middle French effort, from Old French esfort, deverbal of esforcier (“to force, exert”), from Vulgar Latin *exfortiō, from Latin ex + fortis (“strong”). Compare typologically Bulgarian усилие (usilie), Czech úsilí, Polish wysiłek, Russian уси́лие (usílije) (< Proto-Slavic *sila).

  1. To make an effort.
  2. To strengthen, fortify or stimulate

    When old, he lived in London where, being High-minded and Poor, he was exposed to the contempt of disingenuous persons. Yet he efforted his Spirits with a Commemoration of the Days of Old.