intransitive verb strove or strived, striven striv′en (striv′ ən) or strived, striving striv′·ing

1. to make great efforts; try very hard to strive to win
2. to be in conflict; struggle; contend; fight to strive against oppression
3. Obsolete to compete; vie

Etymology: ME striven < OFr estriver, to quarrel, contend < estrif, effort < Gmc, as in MHG striben, obs. Du strijven, to strive, struggle < IE *streibh- (> Gr striphnos, hard, solid) < base *(s)ter-, rigid > stare