Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
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noun
A written composition of moderate length, exploring a particular issue or subject.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: media, publishing
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A test, experiment; an assay.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
An attempt.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: archaic
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A proposed design for a postage stamp or a banknote.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: business, finance, hobbies, lifestyle, philately
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To attempt or try.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: dated, transitive
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To move forth, as into battle.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
a tentative attempt
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: attempt, effort, endeavor, endeavour, try
noun
an analytic or interpretive literary composition
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: writing, written material, piece of writing
Narrower terms: composition, paper, report, theme, disquisition, memoir, thanatopsis
verb
make an effort or attempt
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: try, seek, attempt, assay
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: act, move
Narrower terms: take a dare, pick up the gauntlet, fight, struggle, have a go, give it a try, grope, endeavor, endeavour, strive, give it a whirl, gamble, chance, risk, hazard, take chances, adventure, run a risk, take a chance, put on the line, lay on the line
verb
put to the test, as for its quality, or give experimental use to
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: test, prove, try, try out, examine
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: evaluate, pass judgment, judge
Narrower terms: control, verify, float, field-test
History
Since late 16th century, borrowed from Middle French essay, essai (“essay”), meaning coined by Montaigne at the same time, from the same words with the earlier meanings 'experiment; assay; attempt', from Old French essay, essai, assay, assai, from Latin exagium (“weight; weighing, testing on the balance”), from exigere + -ium.
From Middle French essayer, essaier, from Old French essaiier, essayer, essaier, assaiier, assayer, assaier, from essay, essai, assay, assai (“attempt; assay; experiment”) as above.
Across languages
135 source translations are retained for this English entry.
