Meaning of essay

es•say

1. a short literary composition on a particular theme or subject, usually in prose and generally analytic, speculative, or interpretative.
2. anything resembling such a composition: a picture essay.
3. an effort to perform or accomplish something; attempt.
4. a design for a proposed stamp differing in any way from the design of the stamp as issued.
5. a tentative effort; trial; assay.

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