Definition of effort

< efflux

effortless >

ef·fort    (frt) KEY 

NOUN:

1. The use of physical or mental energy to do something; exertion.
2. A difficult exertion of the strength or will: It was an effort to get up.
3. A usually earnest attempt: Make an effort to arrive promptly.
4. Something done or produced through exertion; an achievement: a play that was his finest effort.
5. Physics Force applied against inertia.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old French esfort, from esforcier, to force, exert, from Medieval Latin exfortire : Latin ex-, ex- + Latin fortis, strong; see bhergh-² in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
effort·ful(Adjective), effort·ful·ly(Adverb)