essay Definition

essay
noun essays

1. A short formal piece of writing, usually one dealing with a single subject.

Thesaurus: composition, commentary, paper, dissertation, thesis, treatise, tract, article, critique, discourse, exposition.
2. formal
An attempt.
Thesaurus: effort, attempt, endeavour, try, stab, shot, venture, undertaking, trial, experiment, go, whirl.

verb

essayed, essaying
1. formal
To attempt.
Thesaurus: try, attempt, endeavour,undertake, tackle, go for, take on, have a go, take a crack, struggle, strive.

Derivative: essayist
noun

A writer of literary essays.

Etymology: 16c: from French essayer to try.