attempt
Use Attempt in a sentence
verb (used with object)
1.
to make an effort at; try; undertake; seek: to attempt an impossible task; to attempt to walk six miles.
2.
Archaic. to attack; move against in a hostile manner: to attempt a person's life.
3.
Archaic. to tempt.
noun
4.
an effort made to accomplish something: He made an attempt to swim across the lake.
5.
an attack or assault: an attempt upon the leader's life.
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Attempt
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is hornswoggle. Does it mean:
| to swindle, cheat, hoodwink, or hoax. |
| to spend time idly; loaf. |
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English < Anglo-French atempter < Latin attemptāre to test, tamper with. See at-, tempt
1350–1400; Middle English < Anglo-French atempter < Latin attemptāre to test, tamper with. See at-, tempt
Related forms
at·tempt·a·bil·i·ty, noun
at·tempt·a·ble, adjective
at·tempt·er, noun
qua·si-at·tempt, verb
re·at·tempt, verb (used with object)
un·at·tempt·a·ble, adjective
un·at·tempt·ed, adjective
un·at·tempt·ing, adjective
well-at·tempt·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To attempt
Collins
World English Dictionary
attempt (əˈtɛmpt) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | to make an effort (to do something) or to achieve (something); try |
| 2. | to try to surmount (an obstacle) |
| 3. | to try to climb: they will attempt the north wall of the Eiger |
| 4. | archaic to attack |
| 5. | archaic to tempt |
| —n | |
| 6. | an endeavour to achieve something; effort |
| 7. | a result of an attempt or endeavour |
| 8. | an attack, esp with the intention to kill: an attempt on his life |
| [C14: from Old French attempter, from Latin attemptāre to strive after, from tentāre to try] | |
| usage Attempt should not be used in the passive when followed by an infinitive: attempts were made to find a solution (not a solution was attempted to be found) | |
| at'temptable | |
| —adj | |
| at'tempter | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
attempt
early 15c., from O.Fr. attempter (14c.), earlier atenter "to try, attempt, test," from L. attemptare "to try" (cf. It. attentare, Port. attentar, Sp. atentar), from ad- "to, upon" + temptare "to try" (see tempt). The noun is first recorded 1530s.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
The test is certain to be followed by scores of others that attempt to better match drug to patient.
In using it you attempt to recall painful memories until they no longer cause you discomfort.
But neither met regularly nor made much attempt to work with the other.
He had the bar code tattooed over it in an attempt to hide it.
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