2. Exertion or contention for superiority; contest of
emulation, either by intellectual or physical efforts.
Doting about questions and strifes of words. --1
Tim. vi. 4.
Thus gods contended -- noble strife - Who most
should ease the wants of life. --Congreve.
3. Altercation; violent contention; fight; battle.
Twenty of them fought in this black strife. --Shak.
These vows, thus granted, raised a strife above
Betwixt the god of war and queen of love. --Dryden.
4. That which is contended against; occasion of contest.
[Obs.] ``Lamenting her unlucky strife.'' --Spenser.
Syn: Contest; struggle; quarrel. See {Contention}.