Webster's English Dictionary

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attempt

1. at.tempt \*-'tem(p)t\ \-'tem(p)-t*-b*l\ vt [L attemptare, fr. ad- + 
   temptare to touch, try - more at (MTEMPT 1: to make an effort toward : TRY 
   - often used with an infinitiv e archaic  2: TEMPT  archaic  3: to try to 
   subdue : ATTACK mean to make an effort to accomplish an end. ATTEMPT 
   implies making an essentially single effort and usu. suggests failure; TRY 
   stresses effort or experiment made in the hope of testing or proving 
   something; ENDEAVOR heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty; 
   ESSAY implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or 
   experimenting; STRIVE implies great exertion against great difficulty and 
   specifically suggests persistent effort - at.tempt.able aj SYN syn ATTEMPT, 
   TRY, ENDEAVOR, ESSAY, STRIVE 
2. attempt n 1: the act or an instance of attempting; esp : an unsuccessful 
   effo rt archaic  2: ATTACK, ASSAULT