Essay
Essay , noun
[French essai, from Latin exagium a weighing, weight, balance; ex out + agere to drive, do; compare examen, exagmen, a means of weighing, a weighing, the tongue of a balance, exigere to drive out, examine, weigh, Greek 'exa`gion a weight, 'exagia`zein to examine, 'exa`gein to drive out, export. See Agent, and compare 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.
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. [Obsolete]
Essay , transitive verb
[French 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?
Essaying nothing she can not perform.
A danger lest the young enthusiast... should essay the impossible.
2.