Attempt | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

At-tĕmpt', v. t.

verbtransitive

(-tĕmt'), v. t. [imp. & p. p. ATTEMPTED; p. pr. & vb. n. ATTEMPTING.] [O. Fr. attempter, atempter, N. Fr. attenter, Pr. attentar, Lat. attentare, to attempt, from ad and tentare, temptare, to touch, try, v. intens. of tendere, to stretch.]

Sense 1. To make trial or experiment of; to try; to endeavor; to assay; as, to attempt to sing; to attempt a bold flight.

It may with mine Draw their own ruin who attempt the deed. Milton.

Sense 2. To attack; to make an effort or attack upon; as, to attempt the enemy’s camp. “Without attempting his adversary’s life.” Motley.

Sense 3. To tempt; to induce. [Obs.] Spenser.

Since I see you are so fearful, that nothing can with ease attempt you. Shak.

Sense 4. To move; to test. [Obs. and rare.] “Well attempted plate.” Fairfax.

At-tēmpt', v. i.

verbintransitive

To make an effort or endeavor, or an attack. I have been so hardy to attempt upon a name. Glanville.

At-tĕmpt′, n.

noun

(-tĕmt′), n. An essay, trial, or endeavor; an attack; or an effort to gain a point.

By his blindness maimed for high attempts. Milton.

Synonyms—ATTEMPT, ENDEAVOR, EFFORT, EXERTION, TRIAL. These words agree in the idea of calling forth our powers into action. Trial is the generic term; it denotes a putting forth of one's powers with a view to determine what they can accomplish; as, to make trial of one's strength. An attempt is always directed to some definite and specific object; as, “The attempt, and not the deed, Confounds us.” Shak. An endeavor is a continued attempt; as, “The high endeavor and the glad success.” Cooper. Effort and exertion are a straining of the faculties in order to carry out an attempt, exertion being the stronger term; as, to make one united effort, with the utmost exertion of our powers, for the attainment of the high object which is set before us. See TRY.