A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Indevoir, -vor(e, -wore, -vour(e, v. [e.m.E. indevor (1495), indevour (1551). Cf. Endevoir v.] To endeavour. a. reflex. To exert oneself. Also in pass., occupied in helping.1570 Sat. P. xiv. 38.
For me he sufferit daylie strife, For me he was haill indeuorde 1573 Ib. xli. 15.
He did him haillie indeuoir Thy richteous actioun to mantene 1581 Burne Disput. 133 b.
Thay … leuit chaist al thair dayis, that thay micht indeuor thame selfis haillelie to the seruice of God 1615 Stirling B. Rec. I. 139.
To indevoir them selffis … to hald hand with the … counsall of this toun thairto 1622-6 Bisset I. 76/32.
Sua sall I indevoir myself … to accompleis ane better … wark
b. intr. To attempt. Const. to or that.c1590 J. Stewart 48/19.
So indevoir I … For to do better than my breath may blaw 1611-57 Mure Ps. cxlv. 6.
I indevoir will to mak Thy greatnes manifest 1632 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 357.
I shall indevoure to answer the samyn 1658 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 171.
Wherby certain [persons] wer indevoring to monopolize … imployments 1661 6th Rep. Hist. MSS. 696.
It is indewored that the maters of fact may be known 1688 New Mills Manuf. 199.
To inspect the scarlet cloaths … and to indeavour to recover in the collours
