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(), 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. 'exa°gion a weight, 'exagia°zein to examine, 'exa°gein 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. Essay" (), 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. スポンサード リンク
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