English
strife
Strife comes from Old French estrif ‘quarrel’, from estriver ‘to compete’, and ultimately from Frankish *strīban.
- Frankishc. 250–700*strībannext step skipped: Old French estrit
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400estriver‘to compete’
- Old French, derivedc. 842–1400estrif‘quarrel’
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500strif‘conflict’
- Englishearliest quotation 1590strife
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Frankishc. 250–700*strībannext step skipped: Old French estrit
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400estriver‘to compete’
- Old French, derivedc. 842–1400estrif‘quarrel’
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500strif‘conflict’
- Englishearliest quotation 1590strife
Earliest quotation: 1590, Edmund Spenser, (please specify the book): “He ſpide lamenting her unlucky ſtrife”.
Linked words
through Old French estriver ‘to compete’
Today it means
noun Striving; earnest endeavor; hard work.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Frankish *strīban / strife