Trŷ1, v. i.
v. i. [imp. & p. p. TRIED; p. pr. & vb. n. TRYING.] [See infra.] To exert strength; to endeavor; to make an effort; to attempt; as, try to learn; try to lift a weight; the horses tried to draw the load.
3 entries under this word
Try
Trŷ2, v. t.
v. t. [Fr. trier, to cull, to pick out, Pr. triar, O. It. triare, Lat. as if tritare, from terere, tritum, to rub, bruise, grind.]
Sense 1. To prove by experiment; to apply or use for the purpose of determining the quality; to make experiment of; to examine; to prove; to test.
Come, try upon yourselves what you have seen me. Shak.
Sense 2. To pass through a testing process; to purify or refine, as metals; to melt out and procure in a pure state, as oil, tallow, lard, and the like.
Sense 3. To subject to severe trial; to put to the test; to cause suffering or trouble to.
The fire seven times tried this. Shak.
Thus far to try thee, Adam, I was pleased. Milton.
Sense 4. (Law.) To examine judicially; to examine by witnesses or other judicial evidence and the principles of law; as, causes tried in court.
Sense 5. To experience; to have knowledge of by experience. “Or try the Libyan heat or Scythian cold.” Dryden.
Sense 6. To essay; to attempt.
Let us try adventurous work. Milton.
To try on. (a.) To put on, as a garment, to ascertain whether it fits the person. (b.) To attempt; to undertake. [Colloq. and low.] “In the factory, there was a number of strong fellows at work, and after reckoning ’em up, it was clear to me that it wouldn’t do to try it on there. They were too many for us. We must get our man out of doors.” Dickens.—To try out, to pursue efforts till a decision is obtained.—To try tallow, &c., to melt and separate it from the membranes.—To try the eyes, to over-exert them; to strain.
Synonyms—To attempt; endeavor; strive; aim; examine.—TRY, ATTEMPT. To try is the generic, to attempt is the specific, term. When we try, we are usually uncertain as to success; when we attempt, we have always some definite object in view which we seek to accomplish. We may be indifferent as to the result of a trial, but we rarely attempt any thing without a desire to succeed.
He first deceased; she for a little tried To live without him; liked it not, and died. Wotton.
I am afraid they have awaked, And ’tis not done; the attempt, and not the deed, Confounds us. Shak.
Trŷ3, n.
n. 1. Act of trying; attempt; experiment; trial. This breaking of his has been but a try for his friends. Shak.
Sense 2. A corn-screen; also, a club tipped with iron. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.