n.
Pronunciation: ' str ī f
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English strif, from Anglo-French estrif, estri, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch striden to fight, Old High German str ī tan to quarrel ― more at STRIDE
Date: 13th century
1 a : bitter sometimes violent conflict or dissension <political strife > b : an act of contention : FIGHT , STRUGGLE
2 : exertion or contention for superiority
3 archaic : earnest endeavor
synonyms see DISCORD
– strife · less \ ' str ī -fl ə s \ adjective