attempt

Definition

To try.

Etymology

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.

Example Sentences

• "to attempt an escape from prison"
• "I attempted to sing, but my throat was too hoarse."
• "A group of 80 budding mountaineers attempted Kilimanjaro, but 30 of them didn’t make it to the top."