n.
  
/
ˈɛseɪ/
   
- a piece of writing on a particular subject.
 - formal an attempt or effort.
 - a trial design of a postage stamp.
 
v.
  
/
ɛˈseɪ/
 
formal attempt:
 he essayed a smile.
 
  Derivative
  
    - essayist n.
  - essayistic adj.
 
   
  Etymology
  C15 (in the sense ‘test the quality of’): alt. of assay, by assoc. with OFr. essayer, based on late L. exagium ‘weighing’; the noun (C16) is from OFr. essai ‘trial’.