n.
Pronunciation: ' tr ī
Function: verb
Inflected Form: tried ; try · ing
Etymology: Middle English trien, from Anglo-French trier to select, sort, examine, determine, probably from Late Latin tritare to grind, frequentative of Latin terere to rub ― more at THROW
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 a : to examine or investigate judicially < try a case> b (1) : to conduct the trial of (2) : to participate as counsel in the judicial examination of
2 a : to put to test or trial < try one's luck> ― often used with out < try out a new method> b : to subject to something (as undue strain or excessive hardship or provocation) that tests the powers of endurance c : DEMONSTRATE , PROVE
3 a obsolete : PURIFY , REFINE b : to melt down and procure in a pure state : RENDER < try out whale oil from blubber>
4 : to fit or finish with accuracy
5 : to make an attempt at ― often used with an infinitive < try to fix the car>
intransitive verb : to make an attempt <you can do it if you try >
synonyms see AFFLICT , ATTEMPT
– try one's hand : to attempt something for the first time