Attempted
/əˈtɛmptɪd/noun
Made an effort to do something, often without success.
Did you know?The core of this word traces back to Latin *temptare*, which meant “to test” or “to handle,” the same root behind *tempt*—a reminder that every attempt is a kind of trial.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*temp-
“to stretch, press, or touch”
Latin
Latin
temptāre
“to test, try, handle, or probe”
Late Latin
Latin
attemptāre
“to try at, attack, or make an effort toward”
Old French
Old French
atempter
“to attempt, try, or undertake”
Middle English
English
attempten
“to try, endeavor, or make an effort”
Modern English
English
attempted
“made an effort to do something”