effort

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ef·fort / ˈefərt/ • n. a vigorous or determined attempt: hammer birdhouses to country fenceposts in an effort to bring back the eastern bluebird. ∎  the result of an attempt: he was a keen gardener, winning many prizes for his efforts. ∎  strenuous physical or mental exertion: the doctor spared no effort in helping my father. ∎  technical a force exerted by a machine or in a process. ∎  the activities of a group of people with a common purpose: the war effort.DERIVATIVES: ef·fort·ful adj.ef·fort·ful·ly adv.

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