Past tense of attempt; tried to do or accomplish something, often without success.
From Old French 'attempter', from Latin 'attemptare' meaning 'to try, test, attack'. The Latin combines 'ad-' (toward) and 'temptare' (to handle, try), originally meaning to feel one's way toward something.
The word 'attempted' carries an inherent suggestion of uncertainty or potential failure - we don't usually say someone 'attempted' something they definitely accomplished! In legal contexts, 'attempted' crimes are punished less severely than completed ones, recognizing the difference between trying and succeeding.
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