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at·tempt

(ə-tĕmpt)

tr.v. at·tempt·ed, at·tempt·ing, at·tempts

1. To try to perform, make, or achieve: attempted to read the novel in one sitting; attempted a difficult dive.

2. Archaic To tempt.

3. Archaic To try to seize or get control of by attacking.

1. An effort or a try.

2. An attack; an assault: an attempt on someone's life.

[Middle English attempten, from Old French attempter, from Latin attemptāre : ad-, ad- + temptāre, to test.]

at·tempta·ble adj.

at·tempter n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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