"to put to proof, test the mettle of," late 15c., from Middle French essaier, from essai "trial, attempt" (see essay (n.)). This sense has mostly gone with the divergent spelling a [..]

1590s, "trial, attempt, endeavor," also "short, discursive literary composition" (first attested in writings of Francis Bacon, probably in imitation of Montaigne), from Middle Fren [..]

noun written discourse noun try, attempt verb try, attempt

short piece of prose, usually nonfiction and on a specific topic.

(revision in progress) Et al:

an analytic or interpretive literary composition try: make an effort or attempt; "He tried to shake off his fears"; "The infant had essayed a few wobbly steps&am [..]

An essay is a piece of writing that is used to develop and expand ideas or argument in response to a text, a question, issue or topic. Essays include supporting evidence. In schools, this kind of writing is usually called a response. There are different kinds of responses - typical school response (or essay) types include: Discussions Expositions C [..]

A brief composition, usually in prose, that gives the author's views.

A genre of literature. The essay is a short literary composition on a single theme, often presenting the personal opinions of the author. The essay is a very pliable genre, and can even read like a short story; however, an essay is understood to be a work of nonfiction, whereas a short story is understood to be fiction…The essay is often used to ma [..]

A paper that takes a position on a topic.

The artwork of a proposed design for a stamp. Some essays are rendered photographically. Others are drawn in pencil or ink or are painted. Most essays are rejected. One becomes the essay for the accep [..]

A short literary composition written in expository prose addressed to the general reader, usually dealing thoughtfully and in some depth with a single theme, seen from the personal point of view of th [..]

A short written work on a topic.

The English noun essay comes from the French verb "essayer," to try. Early intellectuals believed their papers to be only a modest attempt to put their I deas on paper.

a short, prose composition on a specific theme that is analytic, speculative, or interpretive

attempt; endeavor; trial.

(n) an analytic or interpretive literary composition(n) a tentative attempt(v) make an effort or attempt(v) put to the test, as for its quality, or give experimental use to

rudimentum

A piece of writing required by your course, either alongside your classes or as part of an exam.

the "essai" or literary prose "attempt" usually first ascribed to Montaigne, in which one's personal thoughts about public issues is presented to the reader fo [..]

essay, usually on scientific, cultural or sociological subjects for publication in a newspaper or magazine

An essay is a short piece of writing about one subject.We know what you're thinking. You're thinking, "Short?! This 8- to 10-page research paper my English teacher just assigned isn [..]

An essay is, generally, a piece of writing that gives the author's own argument — but the definition is vague, overlapping with those of a paper, an article, a pamphlet, and a short story. Essays have [..]

An essay is, generally, a piece of writing that gives the author's own argument — but the definition is vague, overlapping with those of a paper, an article, a pamphlet, and a short story. Essays have [..]

An essay is, generally, a piece of writing that gives the author's own argument — but the definition is vague, overlapping with those of a paper, an article, a pamphlet, and a short story. Essays have [..]

An essay is, generally, a piece of writing that gives the author's own argument — but the definition is vague, overlapping with those of a paper, an article, a pamphlet, and a short story. Essays have [..]

An essay is a short piece of writing. Essay may also refer to: Essay (numismatics), a prototype of a proposed coin Essay (philately), a prototype of a proposed stamp Essay, Orne, a town in France

In philately, an essay is a design for a proposed stamp submitted to the postal authorities for consideration but not used, or used after alterations have been made. By contrast, a proof is a trial pr [..]

A numismatic essay is a coin prototype proposed for general sale or circulation.