essay

[ noun es-ey for 1, 2; es-ey, e-sey for 3–5; verb e-sey ]
/ noun ˈɛs eɪ for 1, 2; ˈɛs eɪ, ɛˈseɪ for 3–5; verb ɛˈseɪ /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR essay ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

verb (used with object)

to try; attempt.
to put to the test; make trial of.

Origin of essay

1475–85; < Middle French essayer, cognate with Anglo-French assayer to assay < Late Latin exagium a weighing, equivalent to *exag(ere), for Latin exigere to examine, test, literally, to drive out (see exact) + -ium -ium

OTHER WORDS FROM essay

es·say·er, noun pre·es·say, verb (used without object) un·es·sayed, adjective well-es·sayed, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH essay

assay essay

Words nearby essay

esrc, esro, esrog, ess, essaouira, essay, essay question, essayist, essayistic, esse, esse quam videri

Content related to essay

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Words related to essay

dissertation, treatise, manuscript, study, paper, thesis, article, piece, discussion, explication, theme, exposition, disquisition, tract, composition, exertion, shot, toil, undertaking, effort

Example sentences from the Web for essay

British Dictionary definitions for essay

essay

noun (ˈɛseɪ, for senses 2, 3 also ɛˈseɪ)

a short literary composition dealing with a subject analytically or speculatively
an attempt or endeavour; effort
a test or trial

verb (ɛˈseɪ) (tr)

to attempt or endeavour; try
to test or try out

Word Origin for essay

C15: from Old French essaier to attempt, from essai an attempt, from Late Latin exagium a weighing, from Latin agere to do, compel, influenced by exigere to investigate

Cultural definitions for essay

essay

A short piece of writing on one subject, usually presenting the author's own views. Michel de Montaigne, Francis Bacon (see also Bacon), and Ralph Waldo Emerson are celebrated for their essays.