attempt definition | Dictionary.com

at⋅tempt

[uh-tempt]

–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.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME < AF atempter < L attemptāre to test, tamper with. See at-, tempt

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

at·tempt (ə-těmpt') Pronunciation Key
tr.v. at·tempt·ed, at·tempt·ing, at·tempts

To try to perform, make, or achieve: attempted to read the novel in one sitting; attempted a difficult dive.
Archaic To tempt.
Archaic To attack with the intention of subduing.

An effort or a try.
An attack; an assault: an attempt on someone's life.

[Middle English attempten, from Old French attempter, from Latin attemptāre : ad-, ad- + temptāre, to test.]
at·tempt'a·ble adj., at·tempt'er n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
attempt (v.)

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.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

attempt
noun
1.	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]

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: at·tempt
Function: noun
: the crime of having the intent to commit and taking action in an effort to commit a crime that fails or is prevented called also criminal attempt —see also IMPOSSIBILITY
NOTE: There is no settled answer to how close to completing a crime a person must be to be guilty of attempt, but attempt must generally consist of more than preparation.

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Attempt

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.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Attempt

At*tempt"\, v. i. To make an attempt; -- with upon. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Attempt

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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