From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
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.
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Something attempted, something done,
Has earned a night's repose. --Longfellow.
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2. To try to move, by entreaty, by afflictions, or by
temptations; to tempt. [Obs. or Archaic]
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It made the laughter of an afternoon
That Vivien should attempt the blameless king.
--Thackeray.
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3. To try to win, subdue, or overcome; as, one who attempts
the virtue of a woman.
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Dear sir, of force I must attempt you further:
Take some remembrance of us, as a tribute. --Shak.
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4. To attack; to make an effort or attack upon; to try to
take by force; as, to attempt the enemy's camp.
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Without attempting his adversary's life. --Motley.
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Syn: See {Try}.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Attempt \At*tempt"\, v. i.
To make an attempt; -- with upon. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
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.
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By his blindness maimed for high attempts. --Milton.
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{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.
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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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From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
attempt
n 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" [syn: {attempt}, {effort}, {endeavor},
{endeavour}, {try}]
2: the act of attacking; "attacks on women increased last year";
"they made an attempt on his life" [syn: {attack}, {attempt}]
v 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}, {seek}, {attempt}, {essay}, {assay}]
2: enter upon an activity or enterprise [syn: {undertake}, {set
about}, {attempt}]
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