Definition of: essay

(e·sā′) v.t.
1. To try to do or accomplish; attempt.
2. To test the nature, quality, etc., of. See synonyms under ENDEAVOR. [Var. of ASSAY, v.]
—noun (e·sā′, es′ā)
1. (es′ā) A literary composition on some special subject, analytical, expository, critical, or reflective and personal, commonly briefer and less complete and formal than a treatise; latterly, any dissertation on a particular subject, a form of pure representative discourse.
2. An endeavor; attempt; effort.
3. Obs. An assay.
4. In philately, a rejected or unused design for a stamp. See synonyms under ENDEAVOR, PROOF. [<OF essai. Doublet of ASSAY. n.]