(a) To strive (to do sth.), endeavor, try; direct one's efforts or thoughts (toward doing sth.); take pains (to do sth.); (b) ~ abouten (after, in, to, umbe), to strive toward (sth.); devote oneself to (sth.), cultivate (a virtue, vice, etc.); -- also refl. [quot. 1340]; concern oneself with (sth.), concentrate on; studiinge after, zealously seeking (sth.); (c) to devote oneself to (a virtue), cultivate; also, put forth (an effort to do sth.).

(a) To apply oneself to learning, study; pursue a formal course of study; also fig.; (b) ~ abouten (in, upon), to study about (sth.), study in (a subject), apply oneself to learning (sth.); study (a branch of learning); also fig.; (c) to study (sth., a branch of learning); also, iron. learn to practice (deceit).

(a) To read a book or writings intently or meditatively; (b) ~ in (on, upon), to read (a book, holy writ, etc.) intently, meditatively, etc.; also fig.; -- also refl. [quot. 1340, 1st]; (c) to read (a book, writings, etc.) intently, meditatively, etc.

(a) To reflect, muse, think, ponder, deliberate; meditate; -- also refl.; (b) ~ abouten (in, of, on, upon), to reflect upon (sth.), muse upon, think about, contemplate; ?also, gaze at (a star) [quot. c1450(?a1400)]; (c) to reflect upon (sth.), contemplate, ponder; longe-studied, thought out or contemplated over a long period of time; (d) to meditate anxiously, be perplexed, wonder; stonden and ~; ~ on, meditate anxiously about (sth.), be perplexed by.

With indirect question as obj.: to ponder (what one might do, whether sth. is so, etc.), deliberate; try to learn or understand (why sth. is so, how to do sth., etc.), seek to know; also in fig. context [last quot.]; also, wonder (what sb. might do).