Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Try
Try
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
tried
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Trying
.] [OE.
trien
to select, pick out, F. trier
to cull, to out, LL. tritare
to triturate (hence the sense of, to thresh, to separate the grain from the straw, to select), L. terere
, tritum
, to rub, bruise, grind, thresh. See Trite
.] 1.
To divide or separate, as one sort from another; to winnow; to sift; to pick out; – frequently followed by out;
as, to
. try
out the wild corn from the good[Obs.]
Sir T. Elyot.
2.
To purify or refine, as metals; to melt out, and procure in a pure state, as oil, tallow, lard, etc.
Shak.
The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver
tried
in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Ps. xii. 6.
For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast
tried
us, as silver is tried
. Ps. lxvi. 10.
3.
To prove by experiment; to apply a test to, for the purpose of determining the quality; to examine; to prove; to test;
as, to
. try
weights or measures by a standard; to try
a man’s opinionsLet the end
try
the man. Shakespeare
4.
To subject to severe trial; to put to the test; to cause suffering or trouble to.
Thus far to
try
thee, Adam, I was pleased. Milton.
5.
To experiment with; to test by use;
as, to
. try
a remedy for disease; to try
a horseCome,
try
upon yourselves what you have seen me. Shakespeare
To ease her cares the force of sleep she
tries
. Swift.
6.
To strain; to subject to excessive tests;
as, the light
; repeated disappointments try one's patience. tries
his eyes7.
(Law)
To examine or investigate judicially; to examine by witnesses or other judicial evidence and the principles of law;
as, to
. try
a cause, or a criminal8.
To settle; to decide; to determine; specifically, to decide by an appeal to arms;
as, to
. try
rival claims by a duel; to try
conclusionsLeft I the court, to see this quarrel
tried
. Shakespeare
9.
To experience; to have or gain knowledge of by experience.
Milton.
Or
try
the Libyan heat or Scythian cold. Dryden.
10.
To essay; to attempt; to endeavor.
Let us
try
. . . to found a path. Milton.
To try on
. (a)
To put on, as a garment, to ascertain whether it fits the person.
(b)
To attempt; to undertake.
[Slang]
Dickens.
Syn. – 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 anything without a desire to succeed. He first deceased: she for a little
To live without him; liked it not, and died.
tried
To live without him; liked it not, and died.
Sir H. Wotton.
Alack, I am afraid they have a waked,
And 't is not done. The
Confounds us.
And 't is not done. The
attempt
, and not the deed,Confounds us.
Shakespeare
Try
,Verb.
I.
1.
To exert strength; to endeavor; to make an effort or an attempt;
as, you must
. try
hard if you wish to learn2.
To do; to fare;
as, how do you
! try
[Prov. Eng.]
Try
,Noun.
1.
A screen, or sieve, for grain.
[Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Holland.
2.
Act of trying; attempt; experiment; trial.
This breaking of his has been but a
try
for his friends. Shakespeare
Try
,Adj.
[Cf. ]
Try
, Verb.
T.
Refined; select; excellent; choice.
[Obs.]
“Sugar that is try.” Chaucer.
Webster 1828 Edition
Try
TRY
,Verb.
I.
TRY
,Verb.
T.
Come, try upon yourselves what you have seen me.
1.
To experience; to have knowledge by experience of. Or try the Libyan heat, or Scythian cold.
2.
To prove by a test; as, to try weights and measures by a standard; to try one's opinions by the divine oracles.3.
To act upon as a test. The fire sev'n times tried this.
4.
To examine judicially by witnesses and the principles of law; as causes tried in court.5.
To essay; to attempt. Let us try advent'rous work.
6.
To purify; to refine; as silver seven times tried.7.
To search carefully into. Ps.11.8.
To use as means; as, to try remedies for a disease.9.
To strain; as, to try the eyes; the literal sense of the word.To try tallow, &c. is to melt and separate it from the membranes.
To tryout, to pursue efforts till a decision is obtained.