[f. prec. vb.]
1. A putting forth of effort to accomplish what is uncertain or difficult; a trial, essay, endeavor; effort, enterprise, undertaking.
1548. Udall, etc., Erasm. Par., Heb. vi. 3 (R.). If God be favourable vnto our attemptes.
1660. Stanley, Hist. Philos. (1701), 80/1. Tolerance raiseth us to high Attempts.
c. 1680. Sir T. Browne, Tracts, 155. for such an attempt there wanteth not encouragement.
1711. Steele, Spect., No. 168, ¶ 5. It is a worthy Attempt to undertake the cause of distrest Youth.
1751. Johnson, Rambl., 165, ¶ 7. The first attempts of a new claimant.
1860. Tyndall, Glac., I. § 18. 122. The weather was sufficiently good to justify an attempt.
b. esp. The effort in contrast with the attainment of its object; effort merely, futile endeavor.
1605. Shaks., Macb., II. ii. 11. They haue awak’d, And ’tis not done: th’ attempt, and not the deed, Confounds vs.
1784. Cowper, Task, V. 369. The State that strives for Liberty, though foiled … Deserves at least applause for her attempt.
1877. Lytteil, Landmarks, IV. x. 257. These conflicting notions are only the result of attempts at interpretation.
c. Const. to do, at (of obs.) doing.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 18, ¶ 2. Some attempts of forming Pieces upon Italian Plans.
1754. Sherlock, Disc. (1759), I. iii. 136. The vain Attempts of Men to dive into the Mysteries of God.
1876. Green, Short Hist., viii. § 5 (1882), 509. An attempt to vest the government of the Church in the King.
d. phr. To make an attempt (to give attempt, obs.): to make an effort, to try (to do a thing).
c. 1534. trans. Pol. Verg. Eng. Hist., II. (1846), 27. When as they might with better lucke geve newe attempt.
1580. North, Plutarch (1595), 236. After many attemptes made.
1632. Le Grys, Velleius, 133. Cinna … dared give attempt upon those things which no honest man ever durst thinke.
1703. Maundrell, Journ. Jerus. (1732), 142. Made another attempt this day to see the Cedars.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 177. He made a feeble attempt to restrain the intolerant zeal of the House of Commons.
† 2. The thing attempted, object aimed at, aim.
1610. Guillim, Heraldry, III. ii. (1660), 107. His noble courage and high attempts atchieved.
1790. Paley, Hor. Paul., Rom. ii. 17. His design and attempt was to sail … immediately from Greece.
3. An effort to accomplish an object by force or violence: † a. A warlike enterprise; an attack, assault, onset. Obs. or arch.
1584. Allen, in Edin. Rev. (1883), 378. No man can charge us of any attempt against the realm.
1603. Knolles, Hist. Turks (1621), 56. The King following, gave no attempt unto the citie, for that he knew to be but vaine.
1605. Shaks., Macb., III. vi. 39. Hee Prepares for some attempt of Warre.
1665. Manley, Grotius’ Low-C. Wars, 629. These strong attempts of the Enemy did not terrify the Hollanders.
b. A personal assault made upon a person’s life, a woman’s honor, etc. Now usually requiring specification: ‘an attempt upon the life of,’ etc.
1593. Shaks., Lucr., 491. I see what crosses my attempt will bring. Ibid. (1603), Meas. for M., III. i. 267. Tho Maid will I frame, and make fit for his attempt. Ibid. (1611), Cymb., I. iv. 128. A Repulse, though your attempt (as you call it) deserue more.
Mod. Another attempt upon the life of the Czar.
† c. fig. Obs.
1662. More, Antid. Ath., III. xv. (1712), 135. That all the Species of things … came first out of the Earth, by the omnifarious attempt of the particles of the matter upon one another.
1673. Cave, Prim. Chr., I. iii. 51. Coming off from all the attempts of adversity with victory and triumph.
† 4. Temptation, seduction. Obs.
1611. Bible, Ecclus. ix. 4. Vse not much the companie of a woman that is a singer, least thou be taken with her attempts.
1667. Milton, P. L., IX. 295. To avoid Th’ attempt it self, intended by our Foe. For hee who tempts … at least asperses The tempted with dishonour foul.
