The word 'striver' is a relatively modern English formation, built upon the existing verb 'strive'. The core verb 'strive' entered Middle English from Old French 'estriver', meaning to quarrel or contend, which itself likely has a Germanic origin, possibly related to words implying strife or effort. The addition of the agent suffix '-er', a productive and ancient Germanic element for forming nouns of agency, transparently creates a term for 'one who strives'. Thus, the etymological journey moves from a sense of contention or struggle in Old French to the modern, more positive connotation of diligent effort and ambition in the noun 'striver'.

Structure: striv (to try hard) + er (one who does) - striv: From the verb 'strive', of Old French origin (estriver), meaning to contend or quarrel, with further roots in a Germanic base. - er: An English agent noun suffix, from Old English -ere, of Germanic origin, indicating a person who performs the action of the verb.