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more about attempt
attempt |
4 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Attempt \At*tempt"\ (?; 215), v. t. [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 Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Attempt \At*tempt"\, v. i. To make an attempt; -- with upon [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Attempt \At*tempt"\, n. A essay, trial, or endeavor; an undertaking; an attack, or an effort to gain a point; esp. an unsuccessful, as contrasted with a successful, effort. By his blindness maimed for high attempts. --Milton. {Attempt to commit a crime} (Law), such an intentional preparatory act as will apparently result, if not extrinsically hindered, in a crime which it was designed to effect. --Wharton. Syn: {Attempt}, {Endeavor}, {Effort}, {Exertion}, {Trial}. Usage: These words agree in the idea of calling forth our powers into action Trial is the generic term; it denotes a putting forth of one's powers with a view to determine what they can accomplish; as to make trial of one's strength. An attempt is always directed to some definite and specific object; as ``The attempt, and not the deed, confounds us.'' --Shak. An endeavor is a continued attempt; as ``His high endeavor and his glad success.'' --Cowper. Effort is a specific putting forth of strength in order to carry out an attempt. Exertion is the putting forth or active exercise of any faculty or power. ``It admits of all degrees of effort and even natural action without effort.'' --C. J. Smith. See {Try}. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: attempt n 1: earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something: "made an effort to cover all the reading material"; "wished him luck in his endeavor"; "she gave it a good try" [syn: {effort}, {endeavor}, {endeavour}, {try}] 2: an assault on someone "they made an attempt on his life" [syn: {attack}] v 1: make an effort or attempt; "He tried to shake off his fears"; "The infant had essayed a few wobbly steps"; "The police attempted to stop the thief"; "He sought to improve himself"; "She always seeks to do good in the world" [syn: {try}, {seek}, {essay}, {assay}] 2: enter upon an activity or enterprise [syn: {undertake}, {set about}]
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