noun

1. a short piece of writing on a particular subject. синонимы: article, piece of writing, composition, study, paper, dissertation, assignment, thesis, discourse, treatise, text, tract, disquisition, monograph, leader, commentary, critique, criticism, exposition, appraisal, assessment, discussion, theme, piece
2. an attempt or effort. "a misjudged essay in job preservation" синонимы: attempt, effort, endeavour, try, venture, trial, experiment, undertaking, crack, go, shot, stab, bash, whack

verb

attempt or try. "Donald essayed a smile" синонимы: attempt, make an attempt at, try, strive, aim, venture, endeavour, seek, set out, do one's best, do all one can, do one's utmost, make an effort, make every effort, spare no effort, give one's all, take it on oneself, have a go at, undertake, embark on, try one's hand at, try out, take on, give it a whirl, give it one's best shot, go all out, pull out all the stops, bend over backwards, knock oneself out, bust a gut, break one's neck, move heaven and earth, have a crack at, have a shot at, have a stab at