attempt

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to enter upon an activity or enterprise

   I attempted a new hobby – painting with oils.

2. 2
   verb

   to make an effort

   I attempted sleep, but my insomnia made it impossible.

3. 3
   verb

   To try.

   to attempt an escape from prison

4. 4
   verb

   To try to move, by entreaty, by afflictions, or by temptations; to tempt.

   Yet since I see you fearful, that neither my coat, integrity, nor persuasion can with ease attempt you, I will go further than I meant, to pluck all fears out of you.

5. 5
   verb

   To try to win, subdue, or overcome.

   one who attempts the virtue of a woman

6. 6
   verb

   To attack; to make an effort or attack upon; to try to take by force.

   to attempt the enemy’s camp

7. 7
   verb

   To make a substantial but unsuccessful effort (to commit a crime).

   Whoever takes a direct and immediate step towards the realisation of the offence as envisaged by them attempts to commit an offence.

8. 8
   noun

   The action of trying at something.

   We made an attempt to cross the stream, but didn’t manage.

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂éd Proto-Italic *ad Proto-Italic *ad- Latin ad- Latin temptō Latin attemptōder. Old French atempterbor. Middle English attempten English attempt Late 14th century, as Middle English attempten, from Old French atempter, from Latin attemptō (“to try, solicit”), from ad- (“to”) + temptō; see tempt. The noun is from the 1530s, the sense "an assault on somebody's life, assassination attempt" (French attentat) is from 1580. By surface analysis, at- + tempt.