attempt

v. try, assay

n. try, assay; effort to do or accomplish something; assault, attack (as "an attempt on someone life")

The essence of the crime of attempt is that the defendant has failed to commit the actus reus (the Latin term for the "guilty act") of the full offense, but has the direct and specific intent to commit that full offense. The normal rule for establishing criminal liability is to prove an actus reus accompanied by a mens rea ("guilty mind") at the relevant time (see concurrence and strict liability offenses as the exception to the rule).
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Noun
1. earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something; "made an effort to cover all the reading material"; "wished him luck in his endeavor"; "she gave it a good try"
(synonym) effort, endeavor, endeavour, try
(hypernym) activity
(hyponym) batting
(derivation) try, seek, essay, assay
2. the act of attacking; "attacks on women increased last year"; "they made an attempt on his life"
(synonym) attack
(hypernym) crime, law-breaking
(hyponym) assault
Verb
1. make an effort or attempt; "He tried to shake off his fears"; "The infant had essayed a few wobbly steps"; "The police attempted to stop the thief"; "He sought to improve himself"; "She always seeks to do good in the world"
(synonym) try, seek, essay, assay
(hypernym) act, move
(hyponym) take a dare, pick up the gauntlet
(derivation) effort, endeavor, endeavour, try
2. enter upon an activity or enterprise
(synonym) undertake, set about
(hypernym) initiate, pioneer

(v. t.)
To try to win, subdue, or overcome; as, one who attempts the virtue of a woman.
  

(v. t.)
To try to move, by entreaty, by afflictions, or by temptations; to tempt.
  

(v. t.)
To make trial or experiment of; to try; to endeavor to do or perform (some action); to assay; as, to attempt to sing; to attempt a bold flight.
  

(v. t.)
To attack; to make an effort or attack upon; to try to take by force; as, to attempt the enemy's camp.
  

(v. i.)
To make an attempt; -- with upon.
  

(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.
  

1
noun
try; they made an attempt to treat the disease with antibiotics
2
verb
to try; the surgeons attempted to sew the finger back on