strug´gler

strug|gle «STRUHG uhl», verb, -gled, -gling, noun.

–v.i.

1. to make great efforts with the body; work hard against difficulties; try hard: »

The poor have to struggle for a living. The swimmer struggled against the tide. She struggled to keep back the tears.

SYNONYM(S): strive, labor, toil, contend.

2. to fight: »

The dog struggled fiercely with the wildcat.

3. to get, move, or make one's way with great effort: »

to struggle through, to struggle along, to struggle to one's feet.

–v.t.

1. to bring, put, do, or otherwise achieve by struggling.

2. Obsolete. to contest (a point) persistently.

–n.

1. great effort; hard work: »

It is a struggle for the widow to send her six children to college. Making the baby eat his spinach is a struggle.

SYNONYM(S): exertion, labor, endeavor.

2. the act of fighting; conflict. SYNONYM(S): strife, contest.

╂[Middle English struglen; origin uncertain]

–strug´gler, noun.