essay
noun
a short literary composition on a particular theme or subject, usually in prose and generally analytic, speculative, or interpretative.
was essaying
-
past progressiveof essay.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Jack pushed it forward until sure it was seen, but no demonstration came from the warrior, who, for aught the youth knew, was essaying the same deception.
From The Lost Trail by Edward Sylvester Ellis
Philip almost suspected that he was essaying a burlesque role.
From The Young Musician ; Or, Fighting His Way by Horatio Alger
Alone and unaided, she was essaying to carve her own fortune from the huge quarries where thousands were diligently laboring.
From Beulah by Augusta J. (Augusta Jane) Evans
"No," replied Hugh, the wrestler's nimble art being as far, far away from him as the "happy land" of the children's hymn, which the cornet was essaying below.
From Gideon's Band A Tale of the Mississippi by George Washington Cable
While English statesmanship was essaying the task of forming a Coalition Ministry under Fox and Grenville, Napoleon with untiring activity was consolidating his position in Germany, Italy, and France.
From The Life of Napoleon I (Volume 2 of 2) by John Holland Rose
