I. əˈtem(p)t also aˈ- verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin attemptare, from ad- + temptare to touch, try — more at tempt
transitive verb
1. : to make an effort to do, accomplish, solve, or effect
attempt to swim
attempt a problem
— often used in venturous or experimental situations sometimes with implications of failure
I doubted at first whether I should attempt the creation of a being like myself — Mary W. Shelley
2.
a. archaic : to try to win over by temptations : tempt
b. : to try to seduce or ravish
3. obsolete
a. : to try to get or win (as by tempting)
b. : to try to persuade : seek to influence (as by entreaty or reasoning)
4. archaic : to try to subdue, overcome, or take by force : attack , assail
intransitive verb
obsolete : to make an attempt — used with on or upon
Synonyms: see try
II. noun
( -s )
1. : the act of attempting : essay , trial , endeavor , undertaking ; especially : an unsuccessful effort
2. : an effort to achieve something by force: as
a. : attack
the enemy's attempt against our lines
b. : an assault especially upon a person's life or a woman's honor
3. obsolete : the thing attempted : aim