English Etymology attempt + -eth Verb attempteth (archaic) third-person singular simple present indicative of attempt 1977, J. R. R. Tolkien, edited by Christopher Tolkien, The Silmarilion, 2 edition, Del Rey, →ISBN, Ainulindalë, page 6:For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more wonderful, which he himself hath not imagined.