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.
Strive, n. 1. An
effort; a striving. [R.] Chapman.
2. Strife; contention. [Obs.] Wyclif
(luke xxi. 9).