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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Attempt \At*tempt"\ (?; 215), verb (used with an object) [imp. & p. p. {Attempted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Attempting}.] [OF. atenter, also spelt atempter, F. attenter, fr. L. attentare to attempt; ad + tentare, temptare, to touch, try, v. intens. of tendere to stretch. See {Tempt}, and cf. {Attend}.]
1. To make trial or experiment of; to try; to endeavor to do or perform (some action); to assay; as, to attempt to sing; to attempt a bold flight.
Something attempted, something done, Has earned a night's repose. --Longfellow.
2. To try to move, by entreaty, by afflictions, or by temptations; to tempt. [Obs. or Archaic]
It made the laughter of an afternoon That Vivien should attempt the blameless king. --Thackeray.
3. To try to win, subdue, or overcome; as, 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. --Shak.
4. To attack; to make an effort or attack upon; to try to take by force; as, to attempt the enemy's camp.
Without attempting his adversary's life. --Motley.
Syn: See {Try}.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
attempted
adjective: tried unsuccessfully; "attempted murder"
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Definitions retrieved from local copies of the freely distributed DICT client/server software and databases. Click here for database copyright information. - KM |