essay
essay Lexical Profile
essay Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A short piece of writing on a particular subject, typically expressing the author's personal point of view or analytical argument.
"The students were asked to write a five-page essay on the causes of the American Civil War."
A formal attempt or effort to accomplish something.
"His first essay in politics was an unsuccessful run for the local city council."
• verb
To attempt or try to do something, especially something difficult or novel (formal).
"She awkwardly essayed a joke in a desperate bid to lighten the tense atmosphere in the room."
Word Nuance & Usage
When used as a noun, the word is pronounced with the stress on the first syllable (ES-say), whereas the formal and much less common verb form typically places the stress on the second syllable (eh-SAY).
• Rhymes for essay
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle French 'essai' (trial, attempt), deriving from Late Latin 'exagium' (a weighing). It was first applied to a literary composition by Michel de Montaigne in 1580, who modestly described his writings as 'attempts'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.