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Added 8 October 2026

attempt

/əˈtɛmpt/ noun

In Latin: cōnor Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about attempt at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something.
made an effort to cover all the reading material
The act of attacking.
attacks on women increased last year

verb

Make an effort or attempt.
He tried to shake off his fears
Enter upon an activity or enterprise.

Origin

Late 14th century, as Middle English attempten, from Old French atempter, from Latin attemptō (“to try, solicit”), from ad- (“to”) + temptō; see tempt. The noun is from the 1530s, the sense "an assault on somebody's life, assassination attempt" (French attentat) is from 1580. By surface analysis, at- + tempt.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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