Try /(?)/

Try

v. t.

imp. & p. p. tried; p. pr. & vb. n. Trying

  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.]
  2. To purify or refine, as metals; to melt out, and procure in a pure state, as oil, tallow, lard, etc.
    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 opinions.
    Let the end try the man.
  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.
    These are the times that try men's souls.
    — Thomas Paine (1776)
  5. To experiment with; to test by use; as, to try a remedy for disease; to try a horse.
    Come, try upon yourselves what you have seen me.
    To ease her cares the force of sleep she tries.
  6. To strain; to subject to excessive tests; as, the light tries his eyes; repeated disappointments try one's patience.
  7. 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 criminal. (Law)
  8. To settle; to decide; to determine; specifically, to decide by an appeal to arms; as, to try rival claims by a duel; to try conclusions.
    Left I the court, to see this quarrel tried.
  9. To experience; to have or gain knowledge of by experience.
    Or try the Libyan heat or Scythian cold.
  10. To essay; to attempt; to endeavor.
    Let us try . . . to found a path.
    He first deceased: she for a little tried To live without him; liked it not, and died.
    Alack, I am afraid they have a waked, And 't is not done. The attempt, and not the deed, Confounds us.

Phrases & Compounds
To try on
To put on, as a garment, to ascertain whether it fits the person.
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.

Try

v. i.
  1. To exert strength; to endeavor; to make an effort or an attempt; as, you must try hard if you wish to learn.
  2. To do; to fare; as, how do you try! [Prov. Eng.]

Try

n.
  1. A screen, or sieve, for grain. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
  2. Act of trying; attempt; experiment; trial.
    This breaking of his has been but a try for his friends.
  3. In Rugby and Northern Union football, a score (counting three points) made by grounding the ball on or behind the opponent's goal line; -- so called because it entitles the side making it to a place kick for a goal (counting two points more if successful).

Try

a.
  1. Refined; select; excellent; choice. [Obs.]