| English Dictionary |
ESSAY
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
| IPA (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does essay mean?
• ESSAY (noun)
The noun ESSAY has 2 senses:
1. an analytic or interpretive literary composition
2. a tentative attempt
Familiarity information: ESSAY used as a noun is rare.
• ESSAY (verb)
The verb ESSAY has 2 senses:
1. make an effort or attempt
2. put to the test, as for its quality, or give experimental use to
Familiarity information: ESSAY used as a verb is rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
An analytic or interpretive literary composition
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("essay" is a kind of...):
piece of writing; writing; written material (the work of a writer; anything expressed in letters of the alphabet (especially when considered from the point of view of style and effect))
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "essay"):
composition; paper; report; theme (an essay (especially one written as an assignment))
disquisition (an elaborate analytical or explanatory essay or discussion)
memoir (an essay on a scientific or scholarly topic)
thanatopsis (an essay expressing a view on the subject of death)
Derivation:
essayist (a writer of literary works)
Sense 2
Meaning:
A tentative attempt
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("essay" is a kind of...):
attempt; effort; endeavor; endeavour; try (earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something)
Derivation:
essay (make an effort or attempt)
| Conjugation: |
... he / she / it essays Past simple: essayed
Past participle: essayed
-ing form: essaying
Sense 1
Meaning:
Make an effort or attempt
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Synonyms:
assay; attempt; essay; seek; try
Context example:
She always seeks to do good in the world
Hypernyms (to "essay" is one way to...):
act; move (perform an action, or work out or perform (an action))
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "essay"):
pick up the gauntlet; take a dare (be dared to do something and attempt it)
fight; struggle (make a strenuous or labored effort)
give it a try; have a go (make an attempt at something)
grope (search blindly or uncertainly)
endeavor; endeavour; strive (attempt by employing effort)
give it a try; give it a whirl (try)
adventure; chance; gamble; hazard; risk; run a risk; take a chance; take chances (take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome)
lay on the line; put on the line; risk (expose to a chance of loss or damage)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE
Sentence example:
They essay to move
Derivation:
essay (a tentative attempt)
essayer (one who tries)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Put to the test, as for its quality, or give experimental use to
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Synonyms:
essay; examine; prove; test; try; try out
Context example:
Test this recipe
Hypernyms (to "essay" is one way to...):
evaluate; judge; pass judgment (form a critical opinion of)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "essay"):
control; verify (check or regulate (a scientific experiment) by conducting a parallel experiment or comparing with another standard)
float (circulate or discuss tentatively; test the waters with)
field-test (test something under the conditions under which it will actually be used)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Context examples
Between a grand piano and a centre-table piled high with books was space for a half a dozen to walk abreast, yet he essayed it with trepidation.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
But I have in my hands here a little problem which may prove to be more difficult of solution than my small essay in thought reading.
(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Several times during the preparation of my supper he even essayed hospitable inquiries about my health, the condition and number of my dogs, and the distance I had travelled that day.
(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)
Three times the hand essayed to write but fumbled hopelessly.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
I am delighted to find that you can vouchsafe to let your imagination wander—but it will not do—very sorry to check you in your first essay—but indeed it will not do.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
Fanny's explanations and remarks were a most important addition to every essay, or every chapter of history.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
He had essayed to walk along the trunk of a fallen pine.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
There is a very clever essay in one of the books upstairs upon much such a subject, about young girls that have been spoilt for home by great acquaintance—The Mirror, I think.
(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)
He dared even to attend the Scholomance, and there was no branch of knowledge of his time that he did not essay.
(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
Don't you think I had better take advantage of the confession, and begin and coax and entreat—even cry and be sulky if necessary—for the sake of a mere essay of my power?
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
| Learn English with... Proverbs |
"That which is obvious does not need to be explained." (Afghanistan proverb)
"Will take one to the water and bring him back thirsty." (Armenian proverb)
"Hunger drives the wolf from its den." (Corsican proverb)