Attempt
Attempt (?; 215) , transitive verb
[Old French atenter, also spelt atempter, French attenter, from Latin attentare to attempt; ad + tentare, temptare, to touch, try, v. intens. of tendere to stretch. See Tempt, and compare 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.
2.
To try to move, by entreaty, by afflictions, or by temptations; to tempt. [Obsolete or Archaic]
It made the laughter of an afternoon
That Vivien should attempt the blameless king.
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.
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.
Attempt , intransitive verb
To make an attempt; -- with upon. [Obsolete] — Sir T. Browne
Attempt , noun
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.
Collocations (1)
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