strife Meaning, Definition & Usage

Strife noun

Etymology

OF. estrif. See Strive.

Definitions

1. The act of striving; earnest endeavor. Archaic Shak.
2. Exertion or contention for superiority; contest of emulation, either by intellectual or physical efforts.

   Doting about questions and strifes of words. 1 Tim. vi. 4.

   Thus gods contended -- noble strife - Who most should ease the wants of life. Congreve.

3. Altercation; violent contention; fight; battle.

   Twenty of them fought in this black strife. Shak.

   These vows, thus granted, raised a strife above Betwixt the god of war and queen of love. Dryden.

4. That which is contended against; occasion of contest. Obs. "Lamenting her unlucky strife." Spenser. Syn. -- Contest; struggle; quarrel. See Contention.