Also 6–7 -or, -our. [f. as prec. + -ER1; or a. OF. (14th c.) attempteur.]
1. One who attempts or essays anything.
1598. Florio, Saggiatore … an attempter, a tryer.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., Pref. The exceeding difficulty, which … the obscurity of the subject … must often put upon the attemptor.
1798. W. Taylor, in Month. Rev., XXVI. 247. An attempter of Italian comedy.
1837. Dickens, Pickw. (1842), II. 73. Any attempt … will recoil on the head of the attempter.
† 2. One who makes a violent or criminal attempt (against a person, institution, etc.), an assailant; one who attempts the virtue of a woman. Obs.
1580. Sidney, Arcadia (1622), 184. They resisted, and by our helpe draue away, or slue those murdering attempters.
1581. Lambarde, Eiren., II. vii. (1588), 265. If upon an attempt of Burghlarie … the attemptors take it [the money] away … it is a full and complete Burghlarie.
1609. trans. Sir T. Smith’s Commw. Eng., 133. Such an attemptour hath had warning … of the danger, into which hee falleth by such attempt.
1671. Milton, P. R., IV. 602. The attempter of thy Father’s throne, And thief of Paradise.
1741. Richardson, Pamela (1824), I. xviii. 29/2. When one of our sex finds she is attempted, it is an encouragement to the attempter to proceed, if one puts one’s self in the way of it, when one can help it. Ibid. (1748), Clarissa (1811), III. 273. It would be a miracle if she stood such an attempter.
† 3. A tempter. Obs.
1645. Milton, Tetrach., Wks. (1851), 207. Which his conscious attempters doubtlesse apprehended sooner then his other auditors.
1665–9. Boyle, Occas. Refl., IV. i. (1675), 170. Instead of looking upon the attempter as his Friend.
