[at.tempt] vt [ME, fr. MF & L; MF attempter, fr. L attemptare, fr. ad- + temptare to touch, try--more at tempt] (14c) 1: to make an effort to do, accomplish, solve, or effect "~ed to swim the swollen river"
2. archaic: tempt 3 archaic: to try to subdue or take by force: attack -- at.tempt.able adj syn attempt, try, endeavor, essay, strive mean to make an effort to accomplish an end. attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort "will attempt to photograph the rare bird". try is often close to attempt but may stress effort or experiment made in the hope of testing or proving something "tried to determine which was the better procedure". endeavor heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty "endeavored to find crash survivors in the mountains". essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting "will essay a dramatic role for the first time". strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort "continues to strive for peace".
[2]attempt n (1534) 1 a: the act or an instance of attempting; esp: an unsuccessful effort b: something resulting from or representing an attempt "surrounded by ... a few ~s at rose bushes --Marian Engel"
2: attack, assault "an ~ on the life of the president"