Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Strife \Strife\, n. [OF. estrif. See {Strive}.]
   1. The act of striving; earnest endeavor. [Archaic] --Shak.

   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}.

Source : WordNet®

strife
     n 1: lack of agreement or harmony [syn: {discord}]
     2: bitter conflict; heated often violent dissension