[noun] use of physical or mental energy; hard work; "he got an A for effort"; "they managed only with great exertion" Synonyms: effort, elbow grease, exertion, sweat
[verb] work hard; "She was digging away at her math homework"; "Lexicographers drudge all day long" Synonyms: labor, labour, toil, fag, grind, drudge, dig, moil