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The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary: Section a and B · Project Gutenberg — chapter 433 of 897 · ~619 words · public domain

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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.

Syn. -- See Try.

At*tempt", v. i. To make an attempt; -- with upon. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

At*tempt", n. A essay, trial, or endeavor; an undertaking; an attack, or an effort to gain a point; esp. an unsuccessful, as contrasted with a successful, effort.

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. 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.

At*tempt"a*ble (&?;), a. Capable of being attempted, tried, or attacked. Shak.

At*tempt"er (?; 215), n. 1. One who attempts; one who essays anything.

2. An assailant; also, a temper. [Obs.]

At*tempt"ive (&?;), a. Disposed to attempt; adventurous. [Obs.] Daniel.

At*tend" (&?;), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Attended; p. pr. & vb. n. Attending.] [OE. atenden, OF. atendre, F. attendre, to expect, to wait, fr. L. attendre to stretch, (sc. animum), to apply the mind to; ad + tendere to stretch. See Tend.] 1. To direct the attention to; to fix the mind upon; to give heed to; to regard. [Obs.]

The diligent pilot in a dangerous tempest doth not attend the unskillful words of the passenger. Sir P. Sidney.

2. To care for; to look after; to take charge of; to watch over.

3. To go or stay with, as a companion, nurse, or servant; to visit professionally, as a physician; to accompany or follow in order to do service; to escort; to wait on; to serve.

The fifth had charge sick persons to attend. Spenser.

Attends the emperor in his royal court. Shak.

With a sore heart and a gloomy brow, he prepared to attend William thither. Macaulay.

4. To be present with; to accompany; to be united or consequent to; as, a measure attended with ill effects.

What cares must then attend the toiling swain. Dryden.

5. To be present at; as, to attend church, school, a concert, a business meeting.

6. To wait for; to await; to remain, abide, or be in store for. [Obs.]

The state that attends all men after this. Locke.

Three days I promised to attend my doom. Dryden.

Syn. -- To Attend, Mind, Regard, Heed, Notice. Attend is generic, the rest are specific terms. To mind is to attend so that it may not be forgotten; to regard is to look on a thing as of importance; to heed is to attend to a thing from a principle of caution; to notice is to think on that which strikes the senses. Crabb. See Accompany.

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