Associations to the word «Essay»

Wiktionary

ESSAY, noun. A written composition of moderate length exploring a particular issue or subject.
ESSAY, noun. (obsolete) A test, experiment; an assay.
ESSAY, noun. (now rare) An attempt.
ESSAY, verb. (dated) (transitive) To try.
ESSAY, verb. (intransitive) To move forth, as into battle.

Dictionary definition

ESSAY, noun. An analytic or interpretive literary composition.
ESSAY, noun. A tentative attempt.
ESSAY, verb. Make an effort or attempt; "He tried to shake off his fears"; "The infant had essayed a few wobbly steps"; "The police attempted to stop the thief"; "He sought to improve himself"; "She always seeks to do good in the world".
ESSAY, verb. Put to the test, as for its quality, or give experimental use to; "This approach has been tried with good results"; "Test this recipe".

Wise words

The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.
Thomas Jefferson