from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Essay \Es*say"\, 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.
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What marvel if I thus essay to sing? --Byron.
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Essaying nothing she can not perform. --Emerson.
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A danger lest the young enthusiast . . . should
essay the impossible. --J. C.
Shairp.
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2. To test the value and purity of (metals); to assay. See
{Assay}. [Obs.] --Locke.
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