| Meaning | make an effort or attempt. |
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| Pattern | Somebody ----s something; Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE |
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| Model | They essay to move |
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| Example | "The infant had essayed a few wobbly steps" |
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| Synonyms | try, seek, attempt, assay |
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| Entailed by | succeed, win, come through, bring home the bacon, deliver the goods | attain success or reach a desired goal / goal |
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| Narrower | endeavor, endeavour, strive | attempt by employing effort |
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| fight, struggle | make a strenuous or labored effort |
| gamble, chance, risk, hazard, take chances, adventure, run a risk, take a chance | Take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome |
| give it a whirl, give it a try | try |
| grope | Search blindly or uncertainly |
| have a go, give it a try | make an attempt at something |
| risk, put on the line, lay on the line | expose to a chance of loss or damage |
| take a dare, pick up the gauntlet | Be dared to do something and attempt it |
| Broader | act, move | Perform an action, or work out or perform (an action) |
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| Spanish | buscar, ensayar, intentar, pretender, probar, tratar |
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| Catalan | buscar, intentar |
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| Nouns | essay | a tentative attempt |
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| essayer | one who tries |
