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essay: Meaning and Definition of
es•say
Pronunciation: (n.es'ā for 1, 2 es'ā, e&sylpsā' for 3–5v. e&sylpsā'), [key] — n.
- a short literary composition on a particular theme or subject, usually in prose and generally analytic, speculative, or interpretative.
- anything resembling such a composition: a picture essay.
- an effort to perform or accomplish something; attempt.
- a design for a proposed stamp differing in any way from the design of the stamp as issued.
- a tentative effort; trial; assay.
—v.t. - to try; attempt.
- to put to the test; make trial of.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.