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attempt

verb

  1. try
L4502 on Wikidata ↗

noun

  1. action whose success is not guaranteed
  2. occurs if a criminal has an intent to commit a crime and takes a substantial step toward completing the crime
L4503 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /əˈtɛmpt/

noun

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.

  1. The action of trying at something.

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

    This poem is much better than the feeble attempt of mine.

  2. An assault or attack, especially an assassination attempt.

    No man can charge us of any attempt against the realm.

  3. A substantial but unsuccessful effort (to commit a crime).

    Whoever voluntarily abandons the further commission of the offence or prevents its completion incurs no penalty for attempt.

  4. An act of trying to commit suicide

    Her attempt was not successful, and resulted in her being hospitalized.

verb

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.

  1. To try.

    to attempt an escape from prison

    I attempted to sing, but my throat was too hoarse.

  2. 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.

    It made the laughter of an afternoon / That Vivien should attempt the blameless king.

  3. To try to win, subdue, or overcome.

    one who attempts the virtue of a woman

    Dear sir, of force I must attempt you further: / Take some remembrance of us, as a tribute.

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

    to attempt the enemy’s camp

    without attempting his adversary’s life

  5. 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.