1425 (implied in attemptation), from O.Fr. attempter (14c.), earlier attenter, from L. attemptare "to try," from ad- "to, upon" + temptare "to try" (see tempt). The noun is first recorded c.1534.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something; "made an effort to cover all the reading material"; "wished him luck in his endeavor"; "she gave it a good try"
2.
the act of attacking; "attacks on women increased last year"; "they made an attempt on his life" [syn: attack]
verb
1.
make an effort or attempt; "He tried to shake off his fears"; "The infant had essayed a few wobbly steps"; "The police attempted to stop the thief"; "He sought to improve himself"; "She always seeks to do good in the world" [syn: try]
2.
enter upon an activity or enterprise [syn: undertake]
At*tempt"\ (?; 215), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Attempted; p. pr. & vb. n. Attempting.] [OF. atenter, also spelt atempter, F. attenter, fr. L. attentare to attempt; ad + tentare, temptare, to touch, try, v. intens. of tendere to stretch. See Tempt, and cf. Attend.]1. To make trial or experiment of; to try; to endeavor to do or perform (some action); to assay; as, to attempt to sing; to attempt a bold flight. Something attempted, something done, Has earned a night's repose. --Longfellow. 2. To try to move, by entreaty, by afflictions, or by temptations; to tempt. [Obs. or Archaic] It made the laughter of an afternoon That Vivien should attempt the blameless king. --Thackeray. 3. To try to win, subdue, or overcome; as, one who attempts the virtue of a woman. Dear sir, of force I must attempt you further: Take some remembrance of us, as a tribute. --Shak. 4. To attack; to make an effort or attack upon; to try to take by force; as, to attempt the enemy's camp. Without attempting his adversary's life. --Motley. Syn: See Try.
At*tempt"\, n. A essay, trial, or endeavor; an undertaking; an attack, or an effort to gain a point; esp. an unsuccessful, as contrasted with a successful, effort. By his blindness maimed for high attempts. --Milton. Attempt to commit a crime (Law), such an intentional preparatory act as will apparently result, if not extrinsically hindered, in a crime which it was designed to effect. --Wharton. Syn: Attempt, Endeavor, Effort, Exertion, Trial. Usage: These words agree in the idea of calling forth our powers into action. Trial is the generic term; it denotes a putting forth of one's powers with a view to determine what they can accomplish; as, to make trial of one's strength. An attempt is always directed to some definite and specific object; as, "The attempt, and not the deed, confounds us." --Shak. An endeavor is a continued attempt; as, "His high endeavor and his glad success." --Cowper. Effort is a specific putting forth of strength in order to carry out an attempt. Exertion is the putting forth or active exercise of any faculty or power. "It admits of all degrees of effort and even natural action without effort." --C. J. Smith. See Try.
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