effort

Etymology

From Middle French effort, from Old French esfort, deverbal of esforcier (“to force, exert”), from Vulgar Latin *exfortiō, from Latin ex + fortis (“strong”).

noun

1. The work involved in performing an activity; exertion.
   It took a lot of effort to find a decent-sized, fully-furnished apartment within walking distance of the office. He made a conscious effort to not appear affected by the stories in the paper.
   The 30-year-old South Korean, who joined United in 2005, retired from international duty after last season's Asian Cup in an effort to prolong his club June 22, 2011, Press Association, “Manchester United offer Park Ji-sung a new two-year contract”, in The Guardian
   Energy has seldom been found where we need it when we want it. Ancient nomads, wishing to ward off the evening chill and enjoy a meal around a campfire, had to collect wood and then spend time and effort coaxing the heat of friction out from between sticks to kindle a flame. 2013 July-August, Henry Petroski, “Geothermal Energy”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 4
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. 2012-03, William E. Carter, Merri Sue Carter, “The British Longitude Act Reconsidered”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, page 87
3. A force acting on a body in the direction of its motion.
   the two bodies between which the effort acts 1858, Macquorn Rankine, Manual of Applied Mechanics

verb

1. (uncommon, intransitive) To make an effort.
2. (obsolete, transitive) 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. 1684, Thomas Fuller, G. S., Anglorum Speculum: Or The Worthies of England, in Church and State