effortfuladj.
/ˈɛfətf(ᵿ)l/, U.S. /ˈɛfərtf(ə)l/ Exhibiting, full of, or requiring effort.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > [adjective]
hardOE
strenuous1671
rough1717
arduous1753
stiff1862
effortful1900
driven1967
1900 Academy 1 June 473/1 At its most effortful it is strained and excited—a painfully obvious striving beyond the poet's power.
1926 Brit. Weekly 4 Nov. 120/4 A life of value is always a strenuous and effortful life.
1927 C. C. Martindale Christ is King ii. 34 It is usually more effortful to do right than to do wrong.
1927 Manch. Guardian Weekly Sept. 169/2 The effortful conscious striving towards an æsthetic and philosophical ideal.
1964 Economist 31 Oct. 469/1 The effortful field of the Government's attempts.
Draft additions 1993
ˈeffortfully adv.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > [adverb]
hardOE
sorea1300
mightilya1400
strenuously1602
intenselya1631
effortfully1961
1961 in N. Webster
1963 I. Murdoch Unicorn i. iii. 36 Marian talked effortfully; yet she looked forward to it.
1973 M. Amis Rachel Papers 60 Over by the window now, I effortfully uncork the second bottle of Château Dysentery.
1984 A. Brookner Hotel du Lac iii. 42 Urging herself effortfully to the edge of the chair, she attempted to rise.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1933; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1900