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)
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.