Search the Dictionary

and essay are radically the same word; but modern usage has appropriated assay chiefly to experiments in metallurgy, and essay to intellectual and bodily efforts. See Essay.]

To make trial or experiment of; to try; to endeavor to do or perform (some action); to assay; as, to attempt to sing; to attempt a bold flight. Something attempted, something done, Has earned a night's repose. Longfellow.

sonal observation or examination; seeing with one's own eyes; ocular view. By autopsy and experiment. Cudworth.

An experimenter in aviation.

An experiment, or something from which a conclusion may be drawn. [Obs.] We practice likewise all conclusions of grafting and inoculating. Bacon.

A flexible tube for connecting the ends of glass tubes in pneumatic experiments.

Proving by experiments or tests. Docimastic art, metallurgy, or the art of assaying metals; the art of separating metals from foreign matters, and determining the nature and quantity of metallic substances contained in any ore or mineral.

exposed to the wind. This kite was extensively used by Eddy in his famous meteorological experiments. It is now generally superseded by the box kite.

Pertaining to electrometry; made by means of electrometer; as, an electrometrical experiment.

Pertaining to, or founded upon, experiment or experience; depending upon the observation of phenomena; versed in experiments. In philosophical language, the term empirical means simply what belongs to or is the product of experience or observation. Sir W. Hamilton. The village carpenter . . . lays out his work by empir…

By experiment or experience; without science; in the manner of quacks.

The method or practice of an empiric; pursuit of knowledge by observation and experiment.

Relating to, or resulting from, experience, or experiment; following from empirical methods or data; -- opposed to nativistic.

lement which possesses the same chemical value as other elements, as determined by actual experiment and reference to the same standard. Specifically:

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.

Of or pertaining to a eudiometer; as, eudiometrical experiments or results.

tate of being examined; a careful search, investigation, or inquiry; scrutiny by study or experiment.

Trial, as a test or experiment. [Obs.] She caused him to make experience Upon wild beasts. Spenser.

An experimenter. [Obs.] Sir. K. Gigby.

y for action, operation, or achievement; province; room. Afforded a clear field for moral experiments. Macaulay.