strife

Meaning

Noun

• Striving; earnest endeavor; hard work.
• Exertion or contention for superiority, either by physical or intellectual means.
• Bitter conflict, sometimes violent.
• A trouble of any kind.
• That which is contended against; occasion of contest.

Origin

• From Middle English strif, stryf, striffe, from Old French estrif, noun derived from estriver, from Frankish *strīban; compare Dutch strijven. More at strive.