effort English · revision 2683

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1489, Caxton|origins=la fortis}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈef.ət/, US /ˈef.ɚt/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|frm|effort]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) from Old French esforz, esfort “force, impetuosity, strength”,^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) a verbal noun from esforcier “to force out, exert oneself”,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[la-vul|*exfortiāre|t=to show strength]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) the source also of Italian sforza,^(Etymonline) from ex- “out” and [[m|la|fortis|t=strong]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) the source of [[fort]] and [[force]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A strenuous putting forth of power, a laborious attempt: about 1489, in Caxton's translation of ''Fierabras'',^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) the late 15th century;^(Etymonline) the obsolete sense “power, properties” is from 1490.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Johnson (1755) defined it as “struggle; laborious endeavour”.^(Johnson 1755) The plural ''efforts'' came to mean both voluntary exertion and its result.^(Etymonline) In the arts and oratory an ''effort'' is an achievement, often used rather slightingly, from 1857.^(OED 1989) In mechanics it is a force applied against inertia, from 1842.^(OED 1989)^(AHD) Ortega y Gasset wrote in 1949 that “effort is only effort when it begins to hurt”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1489 – a strenuous exertion.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1490 – power (obsolete).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1842 – in mechanics.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1857 – an achievement.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The use of physical or mental [[energy]] to do something; exertion.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A determined [[attempt]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Something produced by hard work; an achievement.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # An organized campaign by a group: ''the war effort''.^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''(physics)'' A force applied against inertia.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[effortful]]

+ * [[effortfully]]

+ * [[countereffort]]

+ * [[effortless]]

+ * [[tractive effort]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[force]]

+ * [[fort]]

+ * [[fortify]]

+ * [[comfort]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ ''Effort'' applies to any attempt, large or small, to do something;^(AHD) ''exertion'' stresses the active use of strength or power, ''endeavor'' suggests a serious, long effort, and ''pains'' and ''trouble'' imply care and inconvenience.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}