“attempt” – English explanatory dictionary

noun an act of trying to do something ○ He failed in his attempt to climb Mount Everest. ○ All his attempts to get a job have failed. ○ We closed down one shop in an attempt to cut costs. ○ She passed her driving test at the second attempt. □ an attempt on someone’s life the action of trying to kill someone ■ verb to try to do something ○ She attempted to commit suicide.

( 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.

v. i. To make an attempt; — with upon. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

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. 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.