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attempting - 2 dictionary results

at⋅tempt

  [uh-tempt]
Use attempting 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.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < AF atempter < L 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

Synonyms:
1. See try. 4. try, endeavor.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To attempting
at·tempt   (ə-těmpt')   
tr.v.   at·tempt·ed, at·tempt·ing, at·tempts
  1. To try to perform, make, or achieve: attempted to read the novel in one sitting; attempted a difficult dive.
  2. Archaic To tempt.
  3. Archaic To attack with the intention of subduing.
n.  
  1. An effort or a try.
  2. 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 © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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