n. | 1. | An effort made, or exertion of body or mind, for the performance of anything; a trial; attempt; |
2. | (Lit.) A composition treating of any particular subject; - usually shorter and less methodical than a formal, finished treatise; | |
3. | An assay. See Assay, | |
v. t. | 1. | To exert one's power or faculties upon; to make an effort to perform; to attempt; to endeavor; to make experiment or trial of; to try. |
2. | To test the value and purity of (metals); to assay. See Assay. |
Noun | 1. | essay - an analytic or interpretive literary composition |
2. | essay - a tentative attempt | |
Verb | 1. | essay - make an effort or attempt; "He tried to shake off his fears"; "The infant had essayed a few wobbly steps"; "The police attempted to stop the thief"; "He sought to improve himself"; "She always seeks to do good in the world" |
2. | essay - put to the test, as for its quality, or give experimental use to; "This approach has been tried with good results"; "Test this recipe" |