\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}.

\At*tempt"\, v. i.
To make an attempt; -- with upon. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.

\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}.