# essay

Pronunciation: say "e-SAY" /ɛˈseɪ/

## Noun

1. A written piece of medium length that examines one particular subject or issue.
   - Simple: A short piece of writing that looks closely at one topic or idea.
   - _Her essay on urban loneliness appeared in a national magazine._
   - _The collection gathers essays by several leading science writers._
4. A design submitted for a postage stamp or banknote, made for consideration before a final version is chosen.
   - Simple: A trial design made for a stamp or paper money before it is printed.
   - _The exhibition featured several essays for banknotes never put into circulation._
   - _A single essay for the commemorative stamp sold for thousands at auction._

## Verb

5. To go forward or set out, as when advancing into battle.
   - Simple: To move forward, as soldiers do when going into battle.
   - _The regiment essayed forward under heavy fire._
   - _Whenever the horns sounded, the warriors would essay into the fray._

## Verb

2. To make an attempt at something; to try. *(dated)*
   - Simple: To try to do something hard or new.
   - _Few writers dare to essay so ambitious a subject._
   - _She essayed a smile despite her nerves._

## Noun

3. An attempt or effort at doing something. *(archaic)*
   - Simple: A try at doing something.
   - _His earliest essay at portraiture hangs in the family hall._
   - _Their essay at reconciliation collapsed within weeks._
6. A test or experiment; an assay. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: A test or experiment done to check what something is worth.

## Origin

**Meanings 1, 3–4, 6** — Borrowed since the late 16th century from Middle French essay, essai ("essay"), a meaning coined by Montaigne, from the same words with the earlier senses "experiment; assay; attempt." These came from Old French essay/essai/assay, from Latin exagium ("weight; weighing, testing on the balance"), formed from exigere plus -ium.
**Meanings 2, 5** — From Middle French essayer, essaier, from Old French essaiier, essayer, assaiier and related forms, built on essay, essai, assay ("attempt; assay; experiment") as above.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/essay (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).