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.
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}.