A trial; attempt; endeavor; an effort made, or exertion of body or mind, for the performance of any thing. We say, to make an essay.

Fruitless our hopes, though pious our essays.

1. In literature, a composition intended to prove or illustrate a particular subject; usually shorter and less methodical and finished than a system; as an essay on the life and writings of Homer; an essay on fossils; an essay on commerce.

2. A trial or experiment; as, this is the first essay.

3. Trial or experiment to prove the qualities of a metal.

[In this sense, see Assay.]

4. First taste of any thing.