v. & n.
v.tr. 1 (often foll. by to + infin.) seek to achieve or complete (a task or action) (attempted the exercise; attempted to explain). 2 seek to climb or master (a mountain etc.).
n. (often foll. by at, on, or to + infin.) an act of attempting; an endeavour (made an attempt at winning; an attempt to succeed; an attempt on his life). attempt the life of archaic try to kill. attemptable adj.
[ OF attempter f. L attemptare (as AD-, temptare TEMPT) ]