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Attempt

//əˈtɛmpt// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The action of trying at something.

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

  2. 2
    the act of attacking wordnet
  3. 3
    An assault or attack, especially an assassination attempt.

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

  4. 4
    earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something wordnet
  5. 5
    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."

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  1. 6
    An act of trying to commit suicide

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

Verb
  1. 1
    To try.

    "to attempt an escape from prison"

  2. 2
    enter upon an activity or enterprise wordnet
  3. 3
    To try to move, by entreaty, by afflictions, or by temptations; to tempt. obsolete

    "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."

  4. 4
    make an effort or attempt wordnet
  5. 5
    To try to win, subdue, or overcome. archaic

    "one who attempts the virtue of a woman"

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  1. 6
    To attack; to make an effort or attack upon; to try to take by force. archaic

    "to attempt the enemy’s camp"

  2. 7
    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."

Etymology

Etymology 1

Late 14th century, as Middle English attempten, from Old French atempter, from Latin attemptō (“I try, solicit”), from ad (“to”) + temptare, more correctly tentare (“to try”); see tempt. The noun is from the 1530s, the sense "an assault on somebody's life, assassination attempt" (French attentat) is from 1580.

Etymology 2

Late 14th century, as Middle English attempten, from Old French atempter, from Latin attemptō (“I try, solicit”), from ad (“to”) + temptare, more correctly tentare (“to try”); see tempt. The noun is from the 1530s, the sense "an assault on somebody's life, assassination attempt" (French attentat) is from 1580.

See also for "attempt"

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