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n. 1. (ĕsā′) a. A short literary composition on a single subject, usually presenting the personal view of the author. b. Something resembling such a composition: a photojournalistic essay. 2. A testing or trial of the value or nature of a thing: an essay of the students' capabilities. 3. An initial attempt or endeavor, especially a tentative attempt. tr.v. (ĕ-sā, ĕsā′) es·sayed, es·say·ing, es·says 1. To make an attempt at; try. 2. To subject to a test. [French essai, trial, attempt, from Old French, from essayer, to attempt, from Vulgar Latin *exagiāre, to weigh out, from Late Latin exagium, a weighing : Latin ex-, ex- + Latin agere, to drive; see ag- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots. V., from Middle English assaien, from Old French assaer, assaier, variant of essayer.] es·sayer n. |
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