1. (n.) An exertion of strength or power, whether physical or mental, in performing an act or aiming at an object; more or less strenuous endeavor; struggle directed to the accomplishment of an object; as, an effort to scale a wall.

2. (n.) A force acting on a body in the direction of its motion.

3. (v. t.) To stimulate.

accomplished fact accomplishment achievement act acta action ad hoc measure adventure affair answer application approach artifice assay attainment attempt bid blow business chore commitment contract contrivance countermove coup course of action crack creation deal dealings deed demarche determination device dodge doing doings elbow grease endeavor energy engagement enterprise essay exertion expedient experiment exploit fait accompli feat fling force gambit gest gimmick go hand handiwork hard pull improvisation job jury-rig jury-rigged expedient labor last expedient last resort last shift lick long pull makeshift maneuver means measure might might and main move muscle nerve and sinew obligation offer operation overt act pains passage performance pis aller plan power proceeding production program project proposition puissance res gestae resolution resort resource shake-up shift shot solution stab step stopgap strain stratagem striving stroke stroke of policy strong bid struggle stunt tactic task temporary expedient tentative thing thing done toil tour de force transaction travail trial trial and error trick trouble trump try turn undertaking venture whack while work working hypothesis working proposition works