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).
Phrases and idioms:
attempt the life of archaic try to kill.
Derivatives:
attemptable adj.
Etymology: OF attempter f. L attemptare (as AD-, temptare TEMPT)