Try — Defs

01 v. t. 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 co…

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.” — Shak.
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.

“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.” — Shak.

“To ease her cares the force of sleep she tries.” — Swift.
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.” — Shak.
9.
To experience; to have or gain knowledge of by experience.
“Or try the Libyan heat or Scythian cold.” — Dryden.
10.
To essay; to attempt; to endeavor.
“Let us try . . . to found a path.” — Milton.

“He first deceased: she for a little 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 attempt, and not the deed, Confounds us.” — Shak.

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.

02 v. i. To exert strength; to endeavor; to make an effort or an attempt; as, you must try hard if you wish to learn.

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.]

03 n. A screen, or sieve, for grain.

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.” — Shak.
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).

04 a. Refined; select; excellent; choice.

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