endeavour
noun

- an effort or attempt to do something

verb

- to try to do something

(Cambridge Advanced Dictionary)

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An endeavour is an attempt to do something with the implication that one is trying hard or putting forth perhaps a little extra effort. An endeavour usually has a goal associated with it.

As the Oxford Dictionary describes it, an endeavour is 1) an attempt to achieve a goal, 2) an earnest and industrious effort, especially when sustained over a period of time or 3) an enterprise or undertaking.

Endeavour is also used as a verb to note when someone is trying hard to do something, such as "He endeavoured to learn English during his one-year stay in London."

The term endeavour stems from the Middle English phrase "put (oneself) in dever," which literally means to make it one's duty (from the French dever, meaning duty). This Middle English phrase is in turn a partial translation of the Old French "mettre en devenir," to put in duty.

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SYNONYMS
(noun)

attempt, effort, enterprise, exertion, push, try, undertaking, venture

(verb)

aspire, aim, attempt, try

(phrases)

do one's best, give it one's best shot, go for, make an effort, make a run at, shoot for, take a shot at

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SMUGGLE OWAD into today's conversation

"The project was a difficult but rewarding endeavour."

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Thanks to Volker for suggesting today's word!