Es‐say″ (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Essayed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Essaying.] [F. essayer. See Essay, n.] 1. To exert one's power or faculties upon; to make an effort to perform; to attempt; to endeavor; to make experiment or trial of; to try.
What marvel if I thus essay to sing? Byron.
Essaying nothing she can not perform. Emerson.
A danger lest the young enthusiast... should essay the impossible. J. C. Shairp.
2. To test the value and purity of (metals); to assay. See Assay. Locke.