Essay

Es′say, n.; pl. Essays (#). [F. essai, fr. L. exagium a weighing, weight, balance; ex out + agere to drive, do; cf. examen, exagmen, a means of weighing, a weighing, the tongue of a balance, exigere to drive out, examine, weigh, Gr. ἐξάγιον a weight, ἐξαγιάζειν to examine, ἐξάγειν to drive out, export. See Agent, and cf. Exact, Examine, Assay.] 1. An effort made, or exertion of body or mind, for the performance of anything; a trial; attempt; as, to make an essay to benefit a friend. "The essay at organization." M. Arnold.

2. (Lit.) A composition treating of any particular subject; — usually shorter and less methodical than a formal, finished treatise; as, an essay on the life and writings of Homer; an essay on fossils, or on commerce.

3. An assay. See Assay, n. [Obs.]

Syn. — Attempt; trial; endeavor; effort; tract; treatise; dissertation; disquisition.

Es·say′ (ĕs·sā′), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Essayed; p. pr. & vb. n. Essaying.] [F. essayer. See Essay, n.] 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.

What marvel if I thus essay to sing? Byron.

Essaying nothing she can not perform. Emerson.

A danger lest the young enthusiast . . . should essay the impossible. J. C. Shairp.

2. To test the value and purity of (metals); to assay. See Assay. [Obs.] Locke.