attempt

/ə-ˈtem(p)t/

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French attempter, from Latin attemptare, from ad- + temptare to touch, try

verb

  1. to make an effort to do, accomplish, solve, or effect

  2. tempt

  3. to try to subdue or take by force : attack

He attempted to swim the swollen river.

attempt try endeavor essay strive mean to make an effort to accomplish an end. attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort. try is often close to attempt but may stress effort or experiment made in the hope of testing or proving something.

noun

  1. the act or an instance of trying to do or accomplish something : an act or instance of attempting something; often : an unsuccessful effort

  2. something resulting from or representing an attempt

  3. attack, assault

She failed the test on her first attempt but passed on her second attempt.

… surrounded by lemon trees and a few attempts at rose bushes.

idiom

  1. to try to kill oneself