ad-

to, toward; addition; sometimes emphasis

Forms

ad-
ac- — Used before c in Latin.
af- — Used before f in Latin.
ag- — Used before g in Latin.
al- — Used before l in Latin.
ap- — Used before p in Latin.
ar- — Used before r in Latin.
as- — Used before s in Latin.
at- — Used before t in Latin.

Origin

Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *ad, ‘to; near.’

Note

Later Latin-based spellings sometimes restored consonants that had disappeared in French.

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noun / verb

attempt

uh-TEMPT/ʌtˈɛmpt/

An effort to do or accomplish something.

The man strains in an attempt to pull himself above the bar.

A young man attempts a pull-up, visibly exerting himself while his chin remains below the bar and the outcome is unresolved.

Etymology

atLatinto, toward; addition; sometimes emphasis

+temptLatinto try, test, or attempt

With ad- meaning toward and temptare meaning to try or test, attempt centers on making a trial: putting effort toward something rather than necessarily accomplishing it.

In context

Mashed7:42

When Casey Webb sat down to attempt the 29-Inch Pizza Challenge in Lebanon, Illinois, he brought Ryan Maassen — a former champion who conquered the same challenge 10 years earlier — along for the ride.

Man V. Food Challenges That Went Very Wrong

More examples

They attempted to cross the river before nightfall.
His first attempt at baking bread was a success.
We are attempting to find the source of the leak.

Forms

attempt · attempts · attempted · attempting

Similar words

try: Is a less formal term for making an effort.
endeavor: Suggests a serious or sustained effort toward an important goal.