attempt

Meanings

Verb

• To try.
• To try to move, by entreaty, by afflictions, or by temptations; to tempt.
• To try to win, subdue, or overcome.
• To attack; to make an effort or attack upon; to try to take by force.

Noun

• The action of trying at something.
• An assault or attack, especially an assassination attempt.

Related

Similar words

• take a stab at, take a run at
• effort
• try

Origin

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