A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1456-1591, 1658
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Attempt, Attemp, v. Also: adtempt, attempe, atempe. [e.m.E. attempt (1513), OF. attempter, L. attemptāre.]
1. intr. To make an attempt or endeavour.1456 Hay II. 155/37 (gif ony wald attempt in the contrary of his prouffit). a1500 Buke of the Sevyne Sagis 1665 (how thai this cite mycht undo [thai] oft attempit subtelly); 2222 (for till attempe gif he mycht se). 1518 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 182 (induellaris attemptand aganis the priuilegis of the burrowis). 1562 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 343 (to dissobey and adtempt aganis the superioris of the toun).
b. To try to do something.1510 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 130 (quhat persoun that attempis till do in the contrair). 1562-3 Winȝet II. 29/35 (quhasoeuir wald attempt to change the fayth). 1591 St. A. Baxter Bks. 47 ( … sall attempt or tak vpon hand to tak ane brotheris hors).
2. tr. To try to influence or persuade.a1500 Buke of the Sevyne Sagis 94 (thai ordanit him to be attempit).
3. To try to effect or accomplish.1508 Reg. Privy S. I. 244/2 (to attempt ocht incontrare hereof). 1558 Q. Kennedy Tractive 97 (to attempt sua heych ane purpose). 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 45 (to attempt ony thing indecent). a1578 Pitsc. I. 111/21 (attemptand sic thing abone his degre). 1658 St. A. Baxter Bks. 126 (to attempt or doe the lyk).
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"Attempt v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/attempt_v>
