attempt
♦♦♦ at|tempt /ət'empt/ (attempts attempting attempted)
1 [VERB] V to-inf, V n
If you attempt to do something, especially something difficult, you try to do it.
The only time that we attempted to do something like that was in the city of Philadelphia...
Before I could attempt a reply he added over his shoulder: `Wait there.'
2 [N-COUNT] usu with supp, oft N to-inf
If you make an attempt to do something, you try to do it, often without success.
...a deliberate attempt to destabilise the defence...
It was one of his rare attempts at humour.
3 [N-COUNT] N on n
An attempt on someone's life is an attempt to kill them.
...an attempt on the life of the former Iranian Prime Minister.
1 [VERB] V to-inf, V n
If you attempt to do something, especially something difficult, you try to do it.
The only time that we attempted to do something like that was in the city of Philadelphia...
Before I could attempt a reply he added over his shoulder: `Wait there.'
2 [N-COUNT] usu with supp, oft N to-inf
If you make an attempt to do something, you try to do it, often without success.
...a deliberate attempt to destabilise the defence...
It was one of his rare attempts at humour.
3 [N-COUNT] N on n
An attempt on someone's life is an attempt to kill them.
...an attempt on the life of the former Iranian Prime Minister.