essay

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A written composition of moderate length, exploring a particular issue or subject.

   In his first book since the 2008 essay collection Natural Acts: A Sidelong View of Science and Nature, David Quammen looks at the natural world from yet another angle: the search for the next human pandemic, what epidemiologists call “the next big one.”

2. 2
   noun

   An attempt.

   My first essay at getting employment was fruitless; but after no small number of mortifying rebuffs from various parties to whom I applied for assistance, I was at last rewarded by a comparative success.

3. 3
   verb

   To attempt or try.

   Shall we essay a walk on the promenade?

4. 4
   noun

   a tentative attempt

5. 5
   noun

   an analytic or interpretive literary composition

6. 6
   verb

   make an effort or attempt

7. 7
   verb

   put to the test, as for its quality, or give experimental use to

8. 8
   noun

   A test, experiment; an assay.

Etymology

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.