## Meanings
1. A short piece of writing on a particular subject, often for school or a magazine.
2. An attempt at something.
3. To try or attempt to do something.

## Examples
- She wrote a thoughtful essay about climate change for her history class.
- His first essay at finding a job was unsuccessful.
- Shall we essay a walk along the seafront?

## Derived Forms
- counteressay
- essayette
- essayic
- essayish
- essayism
- essaykin
- essaylet
- essaylike
- miniessay
- photo-essay
- unessayed

## Related Forms
- assay
- essayist
- essayistic

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: *h₂eǵ-
- Root: essay
- Root: exagium

## 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.

## AI Etymology
Essay: 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. In current use, the main senses are “A short piece of writing on a particular subject, often for school or a magazine” and “An attempt at something”.

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