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Essay
Definitions
- 1 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 a tentative attempt wordnet
- 3 A test, experiment; an assay. obsolete
- 4 an analytic or interpretive literary composition wordnet
- 5 An attempt. archaic
"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."
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- 6 A proposed design for a postage stamp or a banknote.
- 1 To attempt or try. dated, transitive
"Shall we essay a walk on the promenade?"
- 2 make an effort or attempt wordnet
- 3 To move forth, as into battle. intransitive
- 4 put to the test, as for its quality, or give experimental use to wordnet
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.
From Middle French essayer, essaier, from Old French essaiier, essayer, essaier, assaiier, assayer, assaier, from essay, essai, assay, assai (“attempt; assay; experiment”) as above.
See also for "essay"
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