tryn.

Brit.

/trʌɪ/, U.S.

/traɪ/

Etymology: < try v.

I. An act of trying, etc.

†1. Nautical. In phrase at try, a-try (see a-try adv.), the position of a vessel lying-to in a storm; see try v. 17. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of sails, spars, or rigging > [adverb] > bows to sea or well-balanced in gale

at try1558

a-try1611

α.

1589 Voy. W. Towrson in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations i. 98 All the night [wee] laye at trie with much raine and foule weather.

a1618 W. Raleigh Observ. Royal Navy (1650) 12 We are forced to lye at trye with our maine Course and Missen.

1627 J. Smith Sea Gram. ix. 40 A storme, let vs lie at Trie with our maine course, that is, to hale the tacke aboord, the sheat close aft, the boling set vp, and the helme tied close aboord.

1694 P. A. Motteux tr. F. Rabelais 5th Bk. Wks. xviii. 80 Let us go and lye at Trie with our main Course.

β. 1558–89 A. Jenkinson Voy. & Trav. (1886) I. 96 There arose another great storme..and we lay a trie, being driuen farre into the sea.1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues at Cappéer A ship to lye a-try.a1665 K. Digby Jrnl. Voy. to Mediterranean (1868) 86 We tooke in our fore course and lay a trie with our maine course.1694 Narbrough's Acct. Several Late Voy. 173 We lay a try under a Main-sail.1729 W. Wriglesworth MS. Log-bk. of ‘Lyell’ 22 Dec. At 5 Reefed our Courses, furled the Fore Sail, brought to, and lay a try under Main Sail.a1734 R. North Lives of Norths (1826) II. 316 Sometimes a-try and sometimes a-hull we busked it out.1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk.

†2. A trial, a test. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > trial, test, or testing > [noun]

fandingc1000

costningOE

assay1330

say?c1335

assayingc1375

experimenta1382

proofc1390

experience1393

tastinga1400

probationc1422

probe?a1425

approof1436

fraistingc1440

examination?1510

saying1512

approving1523

trial1526

test1594

approbationa1616

trya1616

proval1622

tempting1623

probatea1643

experimental1659

testinga1834

a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) v. i. 9 Then this breaking of his, Ha's beene but a Try for his Friends?

3. Joinery. The condition of being ‘tried’ to a perfect level; cf. try v. 8.

ΚΠ

1678 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. iv. 65 If your work be hollow in the middle, you must Plain both the Bearing sides thinner, till they come to a Try with the middle.

a. An attempt, endeavour, effort. Chiefly colloquial.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > endeavour > [noun] > an attempt

tastec1330

assayc1386

proffera1400

proof?a1400

pluck?1499

saymenta1500

minta1522

attemptate1531

attempt1548

attemption1565

say1568

trice1579

offer1581

fling1590

tempt1597

essay1598

trial1614

tentative1632

molition1643

conamen1661

put1661

tentamen1673

conatus1722

shot1756

go1784

ettle1790

shy1824

hack1830

try1832

pop1839

slap1840

venture1842

stagger1865

flutter1874

whack1884

whirl1884

smack1889

swipe1892

buck1913

lash1941

wham1957

play1961

1832 R. H. Froude in Remains (1838) I. 322 Versification is out of my line, else I should have had a try at it.

1848 E. C. Gaskell Mary Barton II. x. 138 Don't give it up..let's have a try for him.

1890 Pall Mall Gaz. 30 July 2/2 The Emperor..succeeded at the first try.

b. Rugby. The right of attempting to kick a goal, obtained by carrying the ball behind the goal-line and touching it on the ground. Cf. try at goal n. at Additions, touchdown n. (touch n. 14b).

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > rugby football > [noun] > scoring

touch1845

run-in1846

rouge1856

touchdown1856

touch-in-goal1869

try1870

minor1883

minor point1884

pot1888

major point1896

penalty try1922

conversion1927

pushover1940

1845 W. D. Arnold et al. Football Rules of Rugby School in J. Smith Orig. Rules Rugby (2007) §5 Try at goal... The ball, when punted, must be within, when caught, without the line of Goal.]

1870 Sportsman 30 Mar. 1/6 At Richmond, v. The Gipsies. No try to either; drawn.

1880 Times 12 Nov. 4/5 The efforts of a worsted side..to gain the goal or the ‘try’ which is required to make the match a tie.

1893 Times 18 Dec. 10/3 The North were victors by two goals and two tries to three tries.

II. An instrument for trying.

†5. A sieve or sifting screen. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > freedom from impurities > removal of impurities > sifting > [noun] > sieve

sievec725

riddereOE

hair-sievea1100

riddlelOE

sift1499

try?a1500

searcer1540

range-sieve1542

ranging sieve1548

cribble1565

cribe1570

screen1573

sifter1611

scryc1615

clensieve1623

cernicle1657

incernicle1657

ranch-sievea1665

duster1667

drum1702

fry1707

harp1788

lawn-sieve1804

trial1825

separator1830

lawn1853

shaker1906

chinois1937

microscreen1959

?a1500 Nominale (Yale Beinecke 594) in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 808/14 Panducsator cum suis implementis... Hec falanga, a try.

1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch Morals 86 They will not passe thorough the holes of the sieve, ruddle, or trie, if they be narrow.

1644 G. Plattes in S. Hartlib Legacy (1655) 201 Mingling Corn with great Beans, exceeding hard dryed on a Kiln, which may be separated easily with a wire Trie.

1804 J. Duncumb Coll. Hist. County Hereford Gloss. Try, a wire screen for cleansing wheat from the chaff.

†6. = trysail n. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > masts, rigging, or sails > sail > [noun] > trysail

try1665

trysail1769

spencer1840

storm-trysail1851

storm-spencer1857

1665–6 High Court of Admiralty Exam. 22 Mar. 66 A maine course or try.

Compounds

General attributive. (In sense 4b.)

try-getter n.

ΚΠ

1954 J. B. G. Thomas On Tour iv. 43 The two wings, were the try-getters.

1977 Western Mail (Cardiff) 5 Mar. 3/3 England could well feel the backlash of these frustrated Welsh try-getters.

try-getting n.

ΚΠ

1954 J. B. G. Thomas On Tour 12 Without complete forward supremacy try-getting was like needle-hunting in the proverbial haystack.

try-scorer n.

ΚΠ

1930 Daily Express 8 Sept. 10/5 Try-scorers for the tourists in the first half were Rew and Jones-Davies.

1976 Scotsman 27 Dec. 11/1 Earlier try-scorers for Gala were Gordon Dickson and George Telfer.

try-scoring n.

ΚΠ

1974 Times 4 Feb. 7/2 With try-scoring so difficult, Wales missed a golden opportunity of taking a decisive lead midway through the first half.

Draft additions December 2016

Rugby. An act of scoring by carrying or passing the ball over the opposing team's try line, and touching it on to the ground. A try is the primary method of scoring in both rugby codes. In Rugby Union, a successful try scores five points (formerly three) and in Rugby League four points; a player then attempts to convert the try by kicking the ball between the goalposts and over the crossbar for a further two points.

ΚΠ

1885 Pall Mall Gaz. 2 Mar. 10/2 In the Rugby game Northampton beat Coventry by a try to love.

1907 A. H. Baskerville Mod. Rugby Football i. 12 A converted try..equals 5 points.

1922 Aeroplane 18 Jan. 44/2 Guy's [Hospital] worked back to the R.A.F. line and, following a scrummage outside, scored a try, the goal kick failing.

1957 Times 14 Nov. 17/2 Confident ‘coo-ees’ from both sides of the ground greeted this try [by the Australian rugby team].

1987 Rugby World & Post Mar. 18/2 The result..saw Phil Matthews plunge over for a try from 5 yards out after a smoothly worked front peel.

2014 Yorks. Post 7 Nov. 23/3 A blitz of three tries at the start of the second half swung the tie and the series in New Zealand's favour.

Draft additions December 2016

try line n. Rugby the line near each end of the pitch, behind which the ball must be touched on the ground in order to score a try; = goal line n. 1.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > rugby football > [noun] > parts of pitch

touch1845

goalpost1857

goal line1860

touch-in-goal1863

field of play1871

twenty-five1877

dead-ball line1892

in-goal1897

try line1898

1898 Wingham (New S. Wales) Chron. 18 May 3/2 The Wingham forwards rushed the play to the try line.

1908 Manch. Guardian 8 Oct. 3/3 Wenner crossed the try line, but by a mistake ran over the dead ball line and missed a certain try.

1966 H. D. Jennings Durban High School Story 275 I have always thought that the supreme joy in rugby is in running—..running through the defence, or, best of all, running for your very life for the try line.

2005 J. H. Kerr Rethinking Aggression & Violence in Sport i. 9 New Zealand wing Jeff Wilson stepped past four defenders and dived for the try line.

Draft additions December 2016

try at goal n. Rugby and American Football (now historical) an attempt to score a goal or point(s) by kicking the ball between the goalposts and over the crossbar, routinely awarded to a team following a try or touchdown; cf. conversion n. 11d.

ΚΠ

1845 W. D. Arnold et al. Football Rules of Rugby School in J. Smith Orig. Rules Rugby (2007) 44 Try at Goal... The ball, when punted, must be within, when caught, without the line of Goal.

1897 Freeport (Illinois) Daily Jrnl. 23 Oct. In order for a try at goal from touchdown or a try at goal from the field to be successful (in which case the first play counts 2 points and the second 5) the ball must be kicked so as to pass between the two uprights and over the cross-bar.

1922 J. W. Heisman Princ. of Football 229 When it comes back, all he has to do is to adjust it as quickly as possible, place it down to the ground in the manner he is accustomed to holding it for any try-at-goal after touchdown, or as his particular coach or the kicker may desire him to do.

2007 Sun Herald (Sydney) (Nexis) 30 Sept. 102 The holy grail of modern rugby—the try—was originally worth nothing more than to set up a ‘try at goal’. A point was scored only if the subsequent kick went over.

Draft additions December 2016

American Football. An attempt to score extra points, awarded to a team after scoring a touchdown. Cf. earlier try at goal n. at Additions.The team scores one point if a player successfully kicks the ball between the goalposts; the team scores two points if the ball is brought into the end zone in the manner of a touchdown.

ΚΠ

1907 Sunday Herald (Boston) 3 Nov. 1/3 MacDonald, the Brown fullback, had failed to put the ball between the goal posts on his try for the extra point.

1959 Bryan (Texas) Daily Eagle 30 Aug. 9/1 The try-for-point foul rule has been amended to permit Team A, on a successful try for point, to accept penalty for foul by Team B and repeat the try for point.

1971 Boys' Life Nov. 63/3 That's how the game ended, 18-14 (Ludwig missed the try for the extra point).

2013 Buffalo (N.Y.) News 22 Dec. 15 Philly then scored touchdowns on its next two possessions to pull within 27-22 (if not for a failed two-point try it would have been 27-24).

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1915; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

tryv.

Brit.

/trʌɪ/, U.S.

/traɪ/

Forms: Middle English–1500s tri, Middle English–1600s trie, trye, (Middle English treye, trei), Middle English– try. Past tense and participle tried /traɪd/; also Middle English (past tense) triȝed, (past participle ) triȝede, i-triȝed, -et, ytried, ytryed, Middle English y-tryid; Middle English treid, tryyd, Middle English–1500s tryede, Middle English–1600s tryde, Middle English–1800s tryed, Middle English ( tryude), triet, tryet (also 1500s Scottish), Middle English–1500s tryid, 1500s–1600s tride, tryd, Scottish tryit, 1600s tri'd, 1600s–1700s try'd.

Etymology: < Old French trie-r (12th cent., Benoit Ducs de Norm. ii. 11518 Le tort del dreit Trier e conoistre e sevrer (to sift and know and sever the wrong from the right) = Provençal triar, Catalan triar, also medieval Latin triāre (from Provençal or French) to sift or pick out. The legal use appears to have been developed in Anglo-Norman, where it is known c1280; there is no trace of this use in continental French. The origin of the French and Provençal word is unknown. The conjecture of Frisch, mentioned by Diez and by Skeat, that it represents a late Latin *trītāre to grind out, thresh out, frequentative of terĕre, is incompatible with the Provençal form. Another conjecture is that it was a transposed form of tirer ‘to draw, extract’, in a specific sense; but evidence is wanting.

a. transitive. To separate (one thing) from another or others; to set apart; to distinguish. Often with out. Obsolete or archaic.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > discernment, discrimination > discern [verb (transitive)] > distinguish, separate

winnowc825

tryc1330

distinguea1340

divide1377

departc1380

devisea1400

sever1426

perceivea1500

deem1530

discern1533

searcec1535

sort1553

to pick outa1555

decern1559

difference1596

distinguisha1616

severalize1645

separate1651

secern1656

run1795

define1807

sequester1841

differentiate1857

divaricate1868

c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 13260 Þey turnde ageyn, And tryde þe Bretons fro ilk Romeyn.

1413 26 Pol. Poems xii. 69 Til trouþe be fro treson tryed, Shal neuere be pes in regyon.

?1518 Cocke Lorelles Bote sig. C.ij With this man was a lusty company For all raskyllers fro them they dyde trye.

1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VII f. liiii^v He [sc. Henry VII] espyed and tried oute suche as he knewe..to beare no good wyll..towarde his person.

1592 W. Warner Albions Eng. (rev. ed.) vii. xxxvii. 163 For what is it but reason that humaine from brutishe tries?

1847 H. Bushnell Views Christian Nurture 7 Human children still, living a mixed life, trying out the good and evil of the world.]

†b. To pick out, choose, select; past participle (quot. 1340-70), selected, choice (cf. tried adj. 2).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > free will > choice or choosing > types of choice > choose in specific way [verb (transitive)] > select from a number or for a purpose

markOE

to choose out1297

out-trya1325

cullc1330

welec1330

try1340

walea1350

coil1399

drawa1400

to mark outa1450

electa1513

sorta1535

prick1536

exempta1538

select1567

sort1597

to gather out1611

single1629

delibate1660

to cut out1667

outlooka1687

draught1714

draft1724

to tell off1727

1292 Britton ii. xxvii. §5 Face le viscounte trier xii. prodeshommes.]

1340–70 Alisaunder 1233 For too keepe in that kith cumlich & riche All his tresour ytryed.

c1440 Pallad. on Husb. iv. 727 The kiyn also this tyme hit is to trie; Do chese hem that be chested huge & hie.

c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 502/2 Tryin [v.r. tryyn], eligo, preeligo.

a1525 ( Coventry Leet Bk. (1908) II. 484 See that the seid persones so be [= by] you to be tried oute & chosen.

†2.

a. To separate the good part of a thing from the rest, esp. by sifting or straining; hence, to sift or strain. Usually with out. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > freedom from impurities > removal of impurities > sifting > sift [verb (transitive)]

try1382

searcec1400

garble1419

riddle1440

sieve1499

cribble1558

cribe1570

sift1591

succernate1623

cribrate1627

percribrate1652

screen1657

ridder1743

1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Exod. xvi. 31 The taast of it as of tryed floure with hony.

c1420 J. Lydgate Assembly of Gods 2071 Try out the corne clene from the chaff.

c1430 Two Cookery-bks. 11 Take ȝolkys of eyroun y-tryid fro þe whyte.

?a1475 Noble Bk. Cookry (1882) 90 Put it to gedur with a crust of bred and try it through a strener.

1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Pref. 10 The boulter tryeth out the branne.

1581 W. Stafford Compend. Exam. Complaints (1876) ii. 51 What neede they..to trie out the sandes of the ryuers of Tagus in Spaine, Pactolus in Asia, and Ganges in India, to get..small sparkes of gold.

1657 C. Beck Universal Char. sig. L8 To trye, or fine from the dreggs.

1790 W. Marshall Agric. Provincialisms in Rural Econ. Midland Counties II. 444 Try, to skreen.

b. gen. To take or get out, to extract; also, in extended sense, To put into, insert. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > place > placing or fact of being placed in (a) position > insertion or putting in > insert or put in [verb (transitive)]

to do ineOE

to put ina1300

insetc1374

to throw ina1382

inducec1420

intriec1420

to set ina1425

tryc1440

enter1489

insert1529

turn1544

insere1557

infer1572

input1593

intromitc1600

introduce1695

to run in1756

the world > space > place > removal or displacement > extraction > extract [verb (transitive)]

unteeOE

to take out of ——c1175

forthdraw?a1300

out-takea1350

to take outa1382

excludec1400

dischargec1405

to get outc1432

tryc1440

extraya1450

out-have1458

to take fortha1550

extract1570

reave1640

eliciate1651

roust1658

uncork1740

to put out of ——1779

to break out1840

c1440 Pallad. on Husb. ii. 165 Impedymentis, rootis out thou trie.

c1440 Pallad. on Husb. ii. 263 Aysell and wyne eke oute of hem men trie, As oute of peres.

c1440 Pallad. on Husb. iii. 639 Wild asperages rootes many trie Into erthe ytilde.

c1440 Pallad. on Husb. xii. 94 The boones..in askes moolde Thay mynge, and it thai into skeppes trie.

†3. spec. To separate (metal) from the ore or dross by melting; to refine, purify by fire; also, to remove (the dross or impurity) from metal by fire. Usually with out. Also figurative. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > industry > working with specific materials > working with metal > work with metal [verb (transitive)] > extract from ore > smelt

try13..

smelt1543

run1650

reduce1666

eliquate1759

resmelt1804

beneficiate1873

13.. K. Alis. (Bodl.) 828 Riche rede Itried golde.

13.. Coer de L. 6342 Tryyd sylvyr and tresore fyn.

1524 in Acts Parl. Scotl. (1875) XII. 41/1 Þe gold gais furth of þe sammyn [realm] in greit quantite becaus it is tryit to ane hieare price and valoure in vþir realmis.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Zech. xiii. 9 I..will clense them, as the syluer is clensed: Yee and trye them, like as golde is tryed.

1539 Bible (Great) Psalms xxvi. 2 Examen me, o Lord, & proue me: trie out my reynes and my hert.

1545 Bibliotheca Eliotæ Chalcites, a stone..wherof brasse is tried.

1555 in W. Page Inventories Church Goods York, Durham & Northumberland (1897) 152 So moche refuse and baggaige tried out, by meane of the melting of the said plate.

1572 Pat. Roll 14 Eliz. xii. m. 22 (P.R.O.) Thomas Smyth..hath..founde out and put in vse a newe and certene arte to trye out and make of yron verye true perfytt and good copper.

1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice ii. ix. 62 The fier seauen times tried this, Seauen times tried that iud[g]ement is, That did neuer choose amis.

1686 W. Harris tr. N. Lémery Course Chym. (ed. 2) 36 Coppels are porous vessels made in form of a cup, to be used for the trying and purifying of Gold and Silver.

a. To extract (oil) from blubber or fat by heat; to melt down (blubber, etc.), to obtain the oil; to render; also, to extract (wax) from a honey-comb. Usually with out.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > liquid > making or becoming liquid > action or process of melting > melt [verb (transitive)] > fat, etc.

render1541

try1582

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > making certain, assurance > assure, make certain [verb (transitive)] > establish as fact, ascertain

trowa901

lookc1175

take1469

ascertaina1513

certain1523

favoura1530

establish1533

try1542

try1582

tie1623

secure1630

to make sure1644

true1647

determine1650

determinate1666

authenticate1753

constatea1773

verify1801

validate1957

1582 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxf. (1880) 423 No chaundeler shall..trie or melt any tallowe w^thin the walles.

1583 P. Barrough Methode of Phisicke iii. lxii. 157 Oyle tried out of woll in sheepes flanks or necks.

1634 J. Levett Ordering of Bees 51 After what manner doe you deale with your Combes to try out the waxe.

1852 G. C. Mundy Our Antipodes I. xii. 386 A dead whale was..‘tried out’ by some speculating fisherman.

1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. To try down, to boil out the oil from blubber at sea in whalers.

1883 A. Shea Newfoundland Fisheries 10 The fat is then cut up,..and tried out by steam.

b. intransitive for passive. U.S.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > materials having undergone process > of materials: undergo process [verb (intransitive)] > be extracted

try1891

1891 Cent. Dict. (at cited word) Grease tries out of a ham in cooking;..the perspiration is trying out of him.

†a. transitive. To ascertain, find out (something doubtful, obscure, or secret) by search or examination; to sift out. Usually to try out. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > testing > try, test [verb (transitive)] > by analysis

tryc1325

to analyse out1845

the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > finding or discovery > find or discover [verb (transitive)]

findOE

yfindOE

hita1075

befindc1200

out-findc1300

to try outc1325

to find outa1375

to find upc1390

ascryc1400

outwryc1400

inventc1475

vent1611

to hit off1680

discover1762

to scare up1846

to pick up1869

rumble1897

Cf. c1300–25 N. Bozon Contes Moralisés (1889) 9 La cause [of the attraction of the loadstone] ne peut estre triée.]

c1325 Metr. Hom. 56 Yef we wil the sothe treye, Gon we til dom of our Leuedye.1430–40 J. Lydgate tr. Bochas Fall of Princes (Bodl. 263) i. viii. lf. 36/1 But folke that list off daunger hem discharge..Til the trouthe be tried out in deed.1567 R. Sempill in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. 34 Tresoun to try sho was that tyme maist stout; But sho is slak to try this tresoun out.1584 T. Cogan Hauen of Health i. 8 By this meanes doeth Galen trie out the time most fit for exercise.1675 tr. W. Camden Hist. Princess Elizabeth (rev. ed.) i. 129 They all agreed on this, that Lidington..should first try the Queen's mind.a1761 W. Law Comfort Weary Pilgrim (1809) 52 This therefore may serve as a touch~stone wherby every one may try the truth of his state.

†b. With material object. Obsolete. rare.

ΚΠ

1539 R. Pollard et al. in State Papers Henry VIII (1830) I. 619 We have dayly fownde and tryede oute bothe money and plate, hyde and muryde up in walls, vauttis and other secrette placis.

c. To ascertain the truth or right of (a matter, a quarrel, etc.) by test or endeavour; with out, to thrash or fight out; to determine. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

trowa901

lookc1175

take1469

ascertaina1513

certain1523

favoura1530

establish1533

try1542

try1582

tie1623

secure1630

to make sure1644

true1647

determine1650

determinate1666

authenticate1753

constatea1773

verify1801

validate1957

1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes f. 163^v To trye y^e mater w^t dynte of swearde.

1545 Bibliotheca Eliotæ Disceptare armis, to trye by battayle.

1654 R. Codrington tr. Justinus Hist. xi. 298 He was enforced by them to try it out in battel with them.

1712 A. Pope tr. Statius First Bk. Thebais in Misc. Poems 34 The rushing Winds..With equal Rage their airy Quarrel try, And win by turns the Kingdoms of the Sky.

1857 A. Trollope Barchester Towers xxiii Mr. Arabin said that he would try the question out with Mrs Bold.

d. to try out: to test the advantages, possibilities, or qualities of (a material or immaterial thing); also, to test (a person). Originally U.S.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > testing > try, test [verb (transitive)]

cuneOE

afondOE

found1340

searcha1382

experiment1481

experience1541

probe1542

try1545

invent1548

sound1589

to bring or put to the test1594

plumb1599

to feel out1600

essay1656

test1748

plumb-line1875

to try out1888

the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > make experiment of or with [verb (transitive)]

afondc1300

assailc1300

found1340

assay1377

taste1382

experiment1524

experience1541

try1545

attempt1563

practise1632

explore1667

experimentate1670

to taste of1700

to try out1888

to try (something)(on) for size1979

fand-

the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > trial, test, or testing > try or test [verb (transitive)] > test (a person)

fandc893

fanc1000

sifta1400

to try out1974

1888 Judge (N.Y.) 29 Dec. 190/1 Tried Out By Fire.

1898 R. Kipling Day's Work 160 The smoke of her trying-out insulted the beaches.

1906 N.Y. Evening Post 26 Oct. 1 The new rules have been but partially tried out.

1913 Aeroplane 13 Nov. 520/1 Picked pilots of proved experience who volunteer to ‘try out’ new types.

1920 A. E. W. Mason Summons xvi. A man had once tried him out with questions about Alicante.

1926 Publishers' Weekly 19 June 1963 Some Americans go abroad to try out golf links. Apparently others may get the habit of going abroad to try out printing presses.

1974 A. Price Other Paths to Glory iii. 254 He was being tried out on someone else's problem.

6. Law. To examine and determine (a cause or question) judicially; to determine the guilt or otherwise of (an accused person) by consideration of the evidence; to sit in judgement on; to judge. Also figurative †Also intransitive with of (quot. c1330 at sense 6a). (Probably the earliest sense recorded in English.)

a. To try a cause or question.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > trying or hearing of cause > try or hear cause [verb (transitive)]

hearc1160

atry1330

tryc1330

to know upon ——1458

cognosce1607

advise1609

knowledge1609

1292 Britton i. v. §8 Et si n'i eynt mie asez, si soint les chalengs triez. Et si les chalengs soint trovez verrays [etc.].]

c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 313 The wisest of þe clergie, with erles & barouns Togider went to trie of þer peticions.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 9686 Al þat þai striue a-mang þam thre, Thoru pes it agh at tried be.

1467 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith Eng. Gilds (1870) 401 To trye it by xij. men aftur the lawe in suche case provided.

1562 in J. Stuart Sel. Rec. Kirk Aberdeen (1846) 4 To trye, discusse, and examyn all faltis and offencis..off the haill inhabitantis off the burgh.

a1631 J. Donne Poems (1650) 103 This will be tryed to morrow.

1756 W. Duncan tr. Cicero Sel. Orations x. 307 He..may desire to know what crime it is that is trying.

1770 C. Jenner Placid Man vi. iv Whilst the..cause had been trying at Mrs. Stapleton's fire-side [etc.].

1815 W. Scott Guy Mannering II. 201 It was tried in the inner-house afore the fifteen.

1892 Sir A. Kekewich in Law Times Rep. 67 139/1 I have to try the case before me according to those cases.

1895 Daily News 4 Nov. 4/6 Mr. Justice Mathew, who tried the action,..had granted the injunction.

b. To try a person.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > trying or hearing of cause > try or hear cause [verb (transitive)] > try or hear person

examine?a1425

try1538

adjudgea1578

1538 T. Elyot Dict. Interrogari legibus, to be tried by examination, that they had offended against the lawis.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) ii. i. 21 The Iury..May in the sworne-twelue haue a thiefe, or two Guiltier then him they try .

1674 in F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney Mem. Verney Family 17th Cent. (1907) II. 317 Judg Torner's son, who was tryed for his life last November for killing a man.

1797 A. Radcliffe Italian II. v. 171 You must be tried before you are condemned.

1850 G. Cupples Green Hand v. 53/2 A gang o' Spanish pirates I saw tried for their lives.

1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) V. 450 Let him who dares to smite an elder be tried for assault.

c. To submit (a case) for the judgment of a court of law. U.S.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > trying or hearing of cause > try or hear cause [verb (transitive)] > submit case for trial

try1905

1905 S. W. Mitchell Constance Trescot 166 ‘Do you still feel that all chance of settlement is out of the question?’ ‘Yes; I am instructed to try the case.’

1911 Springfield (Mass.) Weekly Republican 8 June 6 A barrister does not, as in America, try cases of both kinds.

1931 N. Amer. Rev. Jan. 22 This is one of his jokes; he knows I can't afford to try criminal cases. It's been fifteen years since I've been in a criminal court.

a. To test the strength, goodness, value, truth, or other quality of; to put to the proof, test, prove.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > trial, test, or testing > try or test [verb (transitive)]

fandc893

costeneOE

afondOE

provea1200

fraista1300

assay1330

sayc1330

try1362

approvec1380

examinea1382

winnowa1382

tempt1382

tastea1400

assailc1405

essay1484

scryc1615

sensea1688

test1748

trial1981

dogfood1997

1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. i. 183 Whan alle tresouris arn triȝede [83 I-triȝed] treuþ e is þe beste.

c1400 (?c1380) Pearl l. 311 To leue no tale be true to tryȝe, Bot þat hys one skyl may dem.

a1500 ( J. Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. (Rawl.) (1898) 188 No word Sholde out-Passe, but yf hit were triet wyth reyson.

?1533 W. Tyndale Expos. Mathew vi. f. lxxvi Except a man be proued and tryed, it cannot be knowen..that he is rightwisse.

1603 W. Shakespeare Hamlet i. iii. 62 Those friends thou hast, and their adoptions tried, Graple them to thee with a hoope of steele.

1825 T. Hook Sayings & Doings 2nd Ser. I. 279 Jumping and bumping himself about in Colonel Arden's new carriage in order to try the springs.

1881 J. A. Froude Short Stud. (1883) IV. ii. v. 230 He..had determined to try every fact..by the strict rules of inductive science.

b. To examine (a person) for the purpose of testing his qualifications: cf. trial n.¹ 6, trier n. 5. Obsolete or historical.

ΘΚΠ

society > education > educational administration > examination > examine a candidate [verb (transitive)]

examinea1402

examec1480

examinate1560

try1636

1636 in J. Bulloch Pynours (1887) 70 In cais any persone..desyr to be admittit a laborar at the Shoir..they must first be tryit be the watter Baillie.

1654 in C. H. Firth Clarke Papers (1899) III. 15 Those that sitte at Whitehall to try Ministers.

†c. to try out: to reject after trial; in quot. 1542-3, to dismiss (a challenged juryman): cf. trier n. 2.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > [verb (transitive)] > empanel a jury > withdraw or reject (a juror)

to try out1542

withdrawa1676

to stand by1896

1542–3 Act 34 & 35 Hen. VIII c. 26 §46 If..the residue of the saide Iurye make defaulte or be tryed out.

d. to try a door, window, etc., to ascertain by attempting to open it whether it is fastened or locked.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > open [verb (transitive)] > a door, gate, etc. > attempt to open (a door, window, etc.)

to try a door1845

1845 C. Dickens Chimes i. 2 The night-wind..trying, with its unseen hand, the windows and the doors; and seeking out some crevices by which to enter.

1889 A. C. Gunter That Frenchman! iv. 37 Maurice..closes the door behind him, trying it to be sure the spring lock has worked.

e. To put (a person) to the test to ascertain the truth of what is asserted or believed of him or her. Frequently in imperative try me.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > interrogation > question, interrogate [verb (transitive)] > call to account

areasonc1250

arraignc1360

to do (also put, set) to reasona1400

reasona1400

to call to account1434

hale1587

try1970

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > truthfulness, veracity > tell the truth [verb (transitive)] > test truth of

look else1610

try1970

1970 V. Canning Great Affair xi. 193 ‘You'll not like it.’ ‘Try me.’

1971 Scope (S. Afr.) 19 Mar. 124/2 ‘Miss Blandish..ahem..I take it that you can keep a secret?’ ‘Try me, Mr Stone.’ Her voice was like a soft caress. Her suggestion to ‘try her’ scared J. B.

1984 A. Price Sion Crossing vi. 106 ‘I think maybe you won't like it, Oliver.’.. ‘Try me.’

8. Joinery. To bring (a piece of timber) to a perfectly flat surface by repeatedly testing it and planing off the projecting parts; to plane with the trying-plane; also to try up; also, to test the straightness of (a planed surface) or the correspondence of (adjoining surfaces); intransitive (of a surface) to prove accurate or straight when tested.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > constructing or working with wood > build or construct with wood [verb (transitive)] > trim, smooth, or plane

try1593

shoot?1677

traverse1678

trim1679

stick1703

dub1711

adze1744

to rough off1748

strike1842

jack-plane1861

1593 T. Fale Horologiographia f. 2 Prepare a piece of very good wood, try it perfectly on both sides to an equall thicknesse.

1678 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. iv. 60 To lay Boards..flat against, whiles they are Trying or Plaining.

1678 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. v. 78 Try it again, as before, and if you find it Try all the way, you may..go over it again.

1679 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. ix. 156 Try one side flat,..and both the edges straight.

1683 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises II. 42 All its Sides are tryed square to one another.

1776 G. Semple Treat. Building in Water 85 After your Work is tried up or even put together.

1828 H. Adcock Builders' Pocket-bk. 52 Swedish deals.., if tried up square at night they will be crooked in the morning.

9. try on: to test the fit or style of (a garment) by putting it on. Also absol.

ΘΚΠ

the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > providing with clothing > provide with clothing [verb (transitive)] > put on > try on

assay1592

say1600

try on1693

to fit on1842

1693 W. Congreve Old Batchelour iv. iii. 35 The Daughters only tore two Pair of Kid-Gloves, with trying 'em on.

1804 M. Edgeworth Will iv, in Pop. Tales I. 173 Miss Barton was trying on her dress.

1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xiii. 109 He..tried a new coat in Pall Mall.

1883 Harper's Mag. Feb. 446/1 She must go at once and ‘try on!’ It is a special order.

10. To subject to a severe test or strain; to strain the endurance or patience of, put to straits, afflict.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > adversity > suffer (adversity or affliction) [verb (transitive)] > afflict

overharryeOE

aileOE

swencheOE

besetOE

traya1000

teenOE

to work (also do) (a person) woeOE

derve?c1225

grieve1297

harrya1300

noyc1300

travailc1300

to work (also do) annoyc1300

wrath14..

aggrievea1325

annoya1325

tribula1325

to hold wakenc1330

anguish1340

distrainc1374

wrap1380

strain1382

ermec1386

afflicta1393

cumbera1400

assayc1400

distressc1400

temptc1400

encumber1413

labour1437

infortune?a1439

stressa1450

trouble1489

arraya1500

constraina1500

attempt1525

misease1530

exercise1531

to hold or keep waking1533

try1539

to wring to the worse1542

pinch1548

affligec1550

trounce1551

oppress1555

inflict1566

overharl1570

strait1579

to make a martyr of1599

straiten1611

tribulatea1637

to put through the hoop(s)1919

snooter1923

the mind > emotion > suffering > cause of mental pain or suffering > cause mental pain or suffering to [verb (transitive)]

heavyc897

pineeOE

aileOE

sorryeOE

traya1000

sorrowOE

to work (also do) (a person) woeOE

angerc1175

smarta1200

to work, bake, brew balec1200

derve?c1225

grieve?c1225

sitc1225

sweam?c1225

gnawc1230

sughc1230

troublec1230

aggrievea1325

to think sweama1325

unframea1325

anguish1340

teen1340

sowa1352

distrainc1374

to-troublea1382

strain1382

unglad1390

afflicta1393

paina1393

distressa1400

hita1400

sorea1400

assayc1400

remordc1400

temptc1400

to sit (or set) one sorec1420

overthrow?a1425

visit1424

labour1437

passionc1470

arraya1500

constraina1500

misgrievea1500

attempt1525

exagitate1532

to wring to the worse1542

toil1549

lament1580

adolorate1598

rankle1659

try1702

to pass over ——1790

upset1805

to touch (also get, catch, etc.) (a person) on the raw1823

to put (a person) through it1855

bludgeon1888

to get to ——1904

to put through the hoop(s)1919

1539 Bible (Great) Heb. xi. 36 Other were tried w^t mockynges & scourgynges, moreouer, w^t bondes & presonment. [Cf. 3.]

1545 R. Ascham Toxophilus ii. f. 37 A syde wynde tryeth an archer and good gere verye muche.

1702 R. Nelson in Pepys' Diary, etc. (1879) VI. 257 If the Providence of God thinks fit to try you with the want of both.

1824 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto XVI l. 89 Her temper had been tried So much.

1825 Baroness Bunsen in A. J. C. Hare Life & Lett. Baroness Bunsen (1879) I. vii. 248 She has been tried in life more hardly than anybody whose..history I ever yet heard.

1859 T. B. Macaulay in G. O. Trevelyan Life & Lett. Macaulay (1876) II. xv. 470 This malady tries me severely.

1905 E. Glyn Vicissitudes Evangeline 142 You look very pale, child—the journey has tried you probably.

11.

a. To test the effect or operation of; to use, apply, or practise tentatively or by way of experiment; to experiment with. try an experiment: to make an experiment; to do something in order to see what will come of it, or whether it produces the expected result. to try conclusions, try a fall, try masteries: see the nouns.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > testing > try, test [verb (transitive)]

cuneOE

afondOE

found1340

searcha1382

experiment1481

experience1541

probe1542

try1545

invent1548

sound1589

to bring or put to the test1594

plumb1599

to feel out1600

essay1656

test1748

plumb-line1875

to try out1888

the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > make experiment of or with [verb (transitive)]

afondc1300

assailc1300

found1340

assay1377

taste1382

experiment1524

experience1541

try1545

attempt1563

practise1632

explore1667

experimentate1670

to taste of1700

to try out1888

to try (something)(on) for size1979

fand-

1545 Primer Kynges Maiestie (STC 16034) sig. DD.iv^v Trye not the lawe with thy seruaunt.

1573 T. Tusser Fiue Hundreth Points Good Husbandry (new ed.) f. 10^v He that of wilfulnes trieth the lawe: shal striue for a coxcombe, & thriue as a dawe.

1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 141 It is good also, not to try Experiments in States.

1676 Lady Chaworth in 12th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1890) App. v. 29 Lady Portsmouth continues sicke, and some say she will try the French ayre, others the Bath watters.

1701 in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eminent Literary Men (1843) (Camden) 302 I wish you would try Smith and Walford for Cowper's Anatomy, and the Philosophical Transactions.

1702 Eng. Theophrastus 170 Those that will be trying masteries with their superiors.

1863 W. C. Baldwin Afr. Hunting vii. 246 I have tried fishing to-day, as I dare not fire a shot for fear of frightening the elephants.

1875 W. S. Jevons Money (1878) 246 The United States government tried a similar experiment.

b. To experiment upon (with something); to test the effect of something upon.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > make experiment of or with [verb (transitive)] > upon a person with (something)

try1784

1784 Cowper in Gentleman's Mag. 54 i. 413/1 By..trying him with a variety of herbs [I] restored him to perfect health.

c. absol. or intransitive. To make experiment; †in quot. 1573 ? to practise.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > try experiments or make experiment [verb (intransitive)]

taste1382

provec1390

assayc1394

try1573

to try conclusions1601

to give the adventure1607

experiment1787

experimentalize1800

experimentize1847

dogfood1996

1573 T. Tusser Fiue Hundreth Points Good Husbandry (new ed.) f. 24^v Dank linge forgot will quickly rot... Here learne & trie to turne it and drye.

d. to try (one's) hand, to attempt to do something for the first time; to test one's ability or aptitude at something.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > try experiments or make experiment [verb (intransitive)] > try for the first time

to try (one's) hand1710

1710 Ld. Shaftesbury Soliloquy 4 Who will willingly be the first to try our Hand.

1768 A. Tucker Light of Nature (1834) I. 384 Why should I be debarred the liberty of trying my hand as well as another?

1848 W. Irving Hist. N.Y. (rev. ed.) v. iii. 269 He determined to try his hand at negotiation.

1896 N. York Weekly Witness 30 Dec. 13/1 He prayed to be permitted to try his hand at spellbinding.

e. To test the effect of (a thing) on (a person, thing, etc.). to try it on the (or a) dog: to test the effectiveness of something on someone regarded as being of lesser consequence than those for whom it is ultimately intended; Theatre, to test the possibilities of a play, etc., by performing it as a matinée or before a provincial audience. colloquial (originally U.S.).

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > [verb (intransitive)] > test performance

to try it on the (or a) dog1878

the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > try experiments or make experiment [verb (intransitive)] > make trial run of something

to dip one's toe in (the water)1901

to try it on the (or a) dog1903

the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > make experiment of or with [verb (transitive)] > a thing on (a person or thing)

try1922

1878 Chicago Tribune 14 July 10/2 Mr. Pearson said: ‘Don't tell any of the newspaper men here about this [i.e. playing Falstaff]. I am just going to try it on a dog.’

1890 A. Barrère & C. G. Leland Dict. Slang II. 377/1 Bootle's Baby’ will on the 7th of May be produced somewhere in the provinces. This is what the Americans call trying it on a dog.

1897 Daily Tel. 4 Feb. 9/1 If any enterprising person desires to make money from a play or a composition of music he does not boldly attempt the experiment upon the public. His shrewd suspicion that they would avenge the torture induces him to adopt the preliminary precaution of ‘trying it on the dog’—a creature of delicate susceptibilities, and very amenable to the influences of Teutonic bands and street-corner cornet solos.

1903 [see sense 15b].

1922 H. Crane Let. 29 Sept. (1965) 101 I want to try Dial [a literary review] on ‘F and H’, before it goes anywhere else.

1941 G. Heyer Envious Casca xiv. 261 Mathilda had never felt less inclined to listen to a dissertation on the benefits of experience to an actress, and she very rudely told Paula to try it on the dog.

f. to try in (Dentistry): to place (a denture or prosthesis) in the patient's mouth to test the fit. [ < the prepositional use illustrated in quot. 1896.]

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > healing > dentistry > practise dentistry [verb (transitive)] > procedures in making dentures

set1844

flask1873

post-dam1910

to try in1921

1896 C. J. Essig Amer. Text-bk. Prosthetic Dentistry xi. 408 After the teeth of a full upper denture have been tried in the mouth and found to be correct, a protective rim is to be made.]

1921 D. Gabell Prosthetic Dentistry viii. 199 The dentures should be placed in tepid water with some pleasant antiseptic,..and then each separately tried in.

1968 Neill & Nairn Compl. Denture Prosthetics 101/2 When trying in the waxed-up dentures initially the opportunity is taken to..check the jaw relationships.

g. try anything once: a cliché indicating (often somewhat unexpected) willingness on the part of a speaker to attempt or experience something new.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > try experiments or make experiment [verb (intransitive)] > be willing to try something new

try anything once1921

1921 Ladies' Home Jrnl. July 20/1 This slogan runs, ‘Try anything once’.

1959 N. Mailer Advts. for Myself (1961) 160 ‘I am sort of curious about the film. I've never seen one [sc. a pornographic film], you know.’ ‘Try anything once, is that it?’

h. try-your-strength, try-your-weight: used attributively to designate an apparatus at a fair or the like which tests or measures a person's strength or weight.

ΘΚΠ

the world > life > the body > bodily constitution > bodily strength > [adjective] > apparatus for testing strength

try-your-strength1929

society > leisure > entertainment > place of amusement or entertainment > fairground or amusement park > [adjective] > side-shows

cosmoramic1827

try-your-strength1929

1929 J. B. Priestley Good Compan. i. iv. 135 One o' these try-your-strength things..—down with the 'ammer and up she goes and rings the bell.

1930 R. Lehmann Note in Music v. 214 A try-your-strength machine that gave him his money back.

1932 Radio Times 29 July 241/1 Everything to make them feel at home..try-your-weight machines, ‘diddlers’, peeps-at-Paris.

1963 P. G. Wodehouse Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves iii. 24 There was plenty and to spare of the Rev. H. P. Pinker. Even as a boy..he must have burst seams and broken try-your-weight machines.

1977 ‘E. Crispin’ Glimpses of Moon vi. 97 I want to try the Try-Your-Strength machine.

12. To endeavour to ascertain by experiment or effort; to attempt to find out; sometimes nearly = sense 11.

a. with simple object (usually fortune, luck, or the like).

ΚΠ

1574 J. Baret Aluearie F 955 I will aduenture, or trie and seeke my fortune.

1601 R. Johnson tr. G. Botero Trauellers Breuiat 51 If he had but thirtie thousand good footemen..he could haue found in his hart to trie his fortune with this enimie.

1741 S. Speed in Buccleuch MSS (Hist. MSS Comm.) (1899) I. 398 We shall go to Jamaica,..and try our luck once more.

1838 A. De Morgan Ess. Probabilities i. 21 They think they are trying their luck, as the phrase is.

1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. vii. 202 He tried the effects of frowns and menaces.

1885 ‘Mrs. Alexander’ At Bay x. 155 I have not yet been accepted. I have not even tried my chance.

1902 A. E. W. Mason Four Feathers viii If he tried his luck with Miss Eustace.

b. with indirect interrogative clause (how, if, what, whether, etc.).

ΚΠ

a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) i. ii. 17 Ile trie how you can Sol, Fa, and sing it.

a1648 Ld. Herbert Life (1976) 9 Many shipps scattering themselues to try whether they could obtayne a prize.

1680 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. xii. 208 Try how the Centers are pitcht, by Treading the Treddle lightly down.

a1700 in Publ. Catholic Rec. Soc. (1911) 9 341 To trie what effects her Maiestys example might have on others.

1819 in Shelley Mem. (1859) 126 Let you and I try if we cannot be as punctual and businesslike as the best of them.

13. To show or find to be so by test or experience; to prove, demonstrate. (With simple object, object clause, infinitive, or object and complement.) Now rare or Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > testing > proof, demonstration > prove, demonstrate [verb (transitive)]

i-sothea925

soothec950

fanda1000

kitheOE

betell1048

showc1175

prove?c1225

treousec1275

stablisha1325

approve1340

verifyc1386

justifya1393

tryc1412

answer?a1425

appreve?c1450

to make gooda1470

convictc1475

averifyc1503

arguea1513

find1512

pree1515

comprobate1531

demonstrate1538

conclude1549

convince1555

argument1558

evict1571

avoucha1593

evidencea1601

remonstrate1601

clear1605

attaint1609

monstrate1609

evince1610

evince1611

improve1613

remonstrance1621

to make out1653

ascertain1670

to bring off1674

to make (something) to through1675

render1678

substantiatea1691

establisha1704

to bring out1727

realize1763

validate1775

c1412 T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum 2097 Deth hath but smal consideracioun Vnto þe vertuous,..No more..Than to a vicious maistir losel tried.

c1500 in I. S. Leadam Select Cases Star Chamber (1903) I. 101 He wold not take oon peny of him Except his right were tryed good.

a1556 N. Udall Ralph Roister Doister (?1566) v. i. sig. H.ij She may hir selfe discharge and trie hir honestie.

?1589 Whip for an Ape sig. A2 Sometimes his choppes doo walke in poynts too hie, Wherein the Ape himselfe a Woodcocke tries.

1599 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet iv. iii. 28 He hath still bene tried a holy man.

1642 Declar. Lords & Comm. 2 Sept. 5 Fasting and Prayer having bin often tryed to be very effectuall.

1892 J. Kent Racing Life Ld. G. C. Bentinck 47 Lord George Cavendish tried Godolphin to be a good horse.

†14. To have experience of; to undergo, go through. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > operation upon something > have effect on [verb (transitive)] > be subjected to or undergo an action > undergo or experience

feelOE

seeOE

passa1325

provec1330

attastec1374

wielda1375

tastec1380

sufferc1390

to pass through ——c1400

expert?a1475

traverse1477

experiment1484

savour1509

to taste of1526

to go through ——1535

sustain1575

approve1578

try1578

experience1588

undergo1600

to run through ——1602

pree1806

1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 26 Y^e quiet life which I haue tried being a maiden.

1635 A. Gil Sacred Philos. Holy Script. Pref. sig. ¶4 That treatise tryed the common fortune of all bookes; some slighted it.., others condemned it.

1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ix. 860 Never more Mean I to trie, what rash untri'd I sought, The paine of absence from thy sight.

a1771 T. Gray Imit. Propertius in Wks. (1814) II. 88 Or if, alas! it be my fate to try Another Love.

15.

a. To test one's ability to deal with (something); to attempt to do, perform, or accomplish (an action); to venture upon, to essay. to try over, to go through (a performance, etc.) experimentally.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > endeavour > attempt [verb (transitive)]

fandOE

assayc1300

tryc1315

provec1330

adventurea1387

sayc1390

paina1400

havec1400

practisea1450

afforcec1487

afond1488

attempta1538

procure1574

endeavour1581

offer1611

poacha1616

attent1620

to venture at1623

essay1641

attentate1656

smacka1657

tempt1697

to try at1794

to have a go1802

to make a (good, poor, etc.) fist1833

tackle1847

to have or take a whack at1891

to make (or have, etc.) a stab at (something)1895

to have a dash (at)1916

c1315 Shoreham i. 1290 Nou ich habbe of þe ferste yteld, Þat oþer wyl ich trye.

a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 152 Nixt that a turnament wes tryid, That lang befoir in hell wes cryid.

1607 T. Walkington Optick Glasse 83 b This little barke.., which neuer tryed the foming maine beforne.

1638 F. Junius Painting of Ancients 12 All kind of worke seemeth to be hard before we doe try it.

1812 J. Wilson Isle of Palms ii. 489 The boat hath left the lonesome rock And tries the wave again.

1870 J. R. Lowell Among my Bks. 1st Ser. 176 Fancy a parody of Shakespeare... You might as well try it with the Venus of Melos.

1915 N.E.D. at Try Mod. I should like to try it over first.

b. to try it on (with play on sense 9): to attempt an imposition; to endeavour to outwit or get the better of some one (usually const. with); spec. in Thieves' Cant, to live by thieving; also in favourable sense. slang.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > steal [verb (intransitive)] > be a thief

one's fingers are all thumbs1546

to try it on1811

work1819

scavenge1938

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > deceive [verb (intransitive)] > attempt

to try it on1811

to come the raw prawn (over, with, etc.)1940

1811 Lexicon Balatronicum Try on, to endeavour. To live by thieving. Coves who try it on; professed thieves.

1812 Sporting Mag. 39 284 Witness agreed to try it on again although he considered himself in danger.

1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xxxiv. 305 No jokes, old boy; no trying it on on me.

1864 A. Lincoln in W. C. Church Ulysses Grant (1877) 231 I don't believe I can do it, but if you say so, I'll try it on.

1903 J. S. Farmer & W. E. Henley Slang VII. ii. 217/2 To try it on, to seek to outwit, get the better of, fleece, cheat... To try it on a dog = to experiment at another's expense or risk.

1912 Oxf. & Cambr. Rev. Nov. 14 If he tries it on, the audience..is ready to convince him of his mistake.

16.

a. intransitive. To make an effort, endeavour, attempt. (With infinitive, or absol.)

ΚΠ

1638 [implied in: T. Herbert Some Yeares Trav. (rev. ed.) 72 Ecbar is poysoned;..after foureteene dayes violent torment and trialls to expell the poyson, yeelds up his ghost. (at trial n.¹ 8)].

1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 107 To repair his Strength he tries: Hardning his Limbs with painful Exercise.

a1771 T. Gray Imit. Propertius in Wks. (1884) I. 154 While to retain the envious Lawn she tries.

1847 F. Marryat Children of New Forest I. iv. 57 You will have to try and try again.

1895 Pall Mall Gaz. 7 Oct. 1/3 England..has tried her best to head him off the path down which he seems determined to rush.

18.. Pop. Melody If at first you don't succeed, Try, try, try again.

b. Followed by and and a coordinate verb (instead of to with infinitive) expressing the action attempted. colloquial. Cf. and conj.¹ 10.

ΚΠ

1686 J. S. Hist. Monastical Convent. 9 They try and express their love to God by their thankfulness to him.

1802 H. Martin Helen of Glenross II. 143 Frances retired, to try and procure a little rest.

1819 Moore in Notes & Queries (1854) 1st Ser. 9 76/1 Went to the theatre to try and get a dress.

1855 in Coleridge Mem. Keble (1869) II. 425 I have something to write to you on that matter, which I shall try and put on another piece of paper.

1878 W. S. Jevons Polit. Econ. 42 If every trade were thus to try and keep all other people away.

1883 L. Oliphant Altiora Peto I. 251 He had good reason to think that Sark was likely to try and back out.

c. Const. with preposition. to try for, to attempt to obtain or find (an object), or to reach (a place). to try at, to make an attempt upon, endeavour to get at; to attempt to do or accomplish.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > endeavour > make an attempt or endeavour [verb (intransitive)]

fanda1225

procurea1325

assay1370

workc1384

to put oneself in pressc1390

purchasec1400

buskc1450

study1483

fend15..

try1534

enterprise1547

to make an attempt?c1550

to give the venture1589

prove1612

nixuriate1623

to lay out1659

essay1715

to bring (also carry, drive, etc.) one's pigs to market1771

to have (or take or give) a crack1836

to make an out1843

to go to market1870

to give it a burl1917

to have a bash (at)1950

the world > action or operation > endeavour > attempt [verb (transitive)] > attempt to obtain or attain

to found toOE

keepc1000

seekc1000

throwa1393

minta1400

intentc1450

to try for1534

sue1548

attempt?c1550

reachc1571

assay1595

put1596

to lay in for1599

climba1616

captate1628

court1639

obseek1646

solicit1717

to make a bid for1885

the world > action or operation > endeavour > attempt [verb (transitive)]

fandOE

assayc1300

tryc1315

provec1330

adventurea1387

sayc1390

paina1400

havec1400

practisea1450

afforcec1487

afond1488

attempta1538

procure1574

endeavour1581

offer1611

poacha1616

attent1620

to venture at1623

essay1641

attentate1656

smacka1657

tempt1697

to try at1794

to have a go1802

to make a (good, poor, etc.) fist1833

tackle1847

to have or take a whack at1891

to make (or have, etc.) a stab at (something)1895

to have a dash (at)1916

1534 in I. S. Leadam Select Cases Court of Requests (1898) 43 Your sayd humble subgett is a very powre man and nott able to trye for his sayd libertie..by the ordre of the comen lawe.

1653 in W. Mure Select. Family Papers Caldwell (1854) I. Quhen he went to search and try for the lard's hors y^t was stollen.

1763 J. Wesley Jrnl. 20 Aug. (1827) III. 138 We concluded to try for Larn, though we knew not the way.

1794 C. Smith Wanderings of Warwick 195 Xaviera..seemed, by an effort of resolution, to try at conquering her confusion.

1816 J. K. Tuckey Narr. Exped. River Zaire (1818) i. 10 The sea being much discoloured, we tried for soundings, but did not get bottom with 120 fathoms of line.

1913 Illustr. London News 16 Aug. 266/2 On three occasions he made some show of trying for a degree, and between times attended as few lectures as he could.

d. intransitive and transitive. To search a place in order to find something, esp. game, or its scent. colloquial.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > hunting > hunt [verb (intransitive)] > search for game

to cast about1575

cast1704

try1810

the world > food and drink > hunting > hunt [verb (transitive)] > search for game

hunta1440

draw1575

try1909

1810 Sporting Mag. 36 233 He bid the other defendants try across the Six Acres.

1821 J. Clare Village Minstrel I. 125 Bees in every peep did try.

1827 G. A. McCall Lett. from Frontiers (1868) 178 The Colonel had directed Maximo to bring..all..appliances for hunting the green turtle; and the latter..was thus early in motion to ‘try’ after turtle.

1909 Toilers of Deep Oct. 246/1 Frequently they ‘try a piece’, as fishing parlance has it.

e. intransitive. to try back: to go back (literal or figurative) so as to cover ground afresh where something has previously been missed; to ‘hark back’.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > aspects of travel > travel in specific course or direction > direct one's course [verb (intransitive)] > turn back or retrace one's steps

charec1000

i-cherrec1000

again-wendOE

again-turna1375

to turn backc1425

reflect1608

redambulate1623

to tread back one's steps1777

back track1802

to try back1816

back-track1904

back-trail1907

1816 J. Jebb Let. 8 Jan. in J. Jebb & A. Knox Thirty Years' Corr. (1834) II. 273 At college, I was obliged to try back in mathematics. Through daily life, I am obliged to try back in minor morals.

1857 T. Hughes Tom Brown's School Days i. vii. 167 They tried back slowly and sorrowfully, and found the lane.

1863 G. J. Whyte-Melville Gladiators 233 Like a hound..now trying back with untiring perseverance.

1874 R. St. J. Tyrwhitt Our Sketching Club 3 To get people to see when their work won't do, and to try back and attempt simpler things.

f. transitive. To attempt or solicit (a woman); to endeavour to seduce; also of a stallion, to attempt to cover (a mare).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > love > flirtation or coquetry > flirt with [verb (transitive)] > attempt to seduce (a woman)

try1713

tempta1721

the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > horse defined by gender or age > [verb (transitive)] > serve mares (of stallion) > try or travel to

try1811

walk1898

1713 Lady M. W. Montagu Lady's Resolve In part she is to blame that has been try'd; He comes too near, that comes to be deny'd.

1811 Sporting Mag. 38 212 The horse took as much pains to try the mare as any stallion.

†17. Nautical. intransitive. Of a vessel: To lie to. (See quot. 1867.) Also, to try a-hull. Obsolete.The meaning in first quot. is doubtful.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of sails, spars, or rigging > support (an amount of) sail [verb (intransitive)] > lie to

trya1584

to lie by1623

to lay by1697

to lie to1711

to lay to1798

1533 J. Heywood Play of Wether sig. C The see..where shyppes by meane of wynd try from port to port.]

a1584 S. Borough in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations (1589) ii. 315 When the barke had way, we cut the hawser, and so gat the sea to our friend, and tryed out all that day with our maine corse.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) i. i. 34 Downe with the top-Mast: yare, lower, lower, bring her to Try with Maine-course.

1726 H. de Saumarez in Philos. Trans. 1725 (Royal Soc.) 33 427 We had hard Gales..and a distracted Sea, insomuch that we try'd under a double reef'd Mainsail, great Part of the Time.

1773 Life N. Frowde 122 We were obliged..to ly too, and let the Ship drive with the Tempest, and at length, to try a Hull.

1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Try, or Lie-to in a Gale, is by a judicious balance of canvas, to keep a ship's bow to the sea, and..prevent her rolling to windward in the trough of a sea.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1915; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

单词	try
释义	tryn. Brit. /trʌɪ/, U.S. /traɪ/ Etymology: < try v. I. An act of trying, etc. †1. Nautical. In phrase at try, a-try (see a-try adv.), the position of a vessel lying-to in a storm; see try v. 17. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of sails, spars, or rigging > [adverb] > bows to sea or well-balanced in gale at try1558 a-try1611 α. 1589 Voy. W. Towrson in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations i. 98 All the night [wee] laye at trie with much raine and foule weather. a1618 W. Raleigh Observ. Royal Navy (1650) 12 We are forced to lye at trye with our maine Course and Missen. 1627 J. Smith Sea Gram. ix. 40 A storme, let vs lie at Trie with our maine course, that is, to hale the tacke aboord, the sheat close aft, the boling set vp, and the helme tied close aboord. 1694 P. A. Motteux tr. F. Rabelais 5th Bk. Wks. xviii. 80 Let us go and lye at Trie with our main Course. β. 1558–89 A. Jenkinson Voy. & Trav. (1886) I. 96 There arose another great storme..and we lay a trie, being driuen farre into the sea.1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues at Cappéer A ship to lye a-try.a1665 K. Digby Jrnl. Voy. to Mediterranean (1868) 86 We tooke in our fore course and lay a trie with our maine course.1694 Narbrough's Acct. Several Late Voy. 173 We lay a try under a Main-sail.1729 W. Wriglesworth MS. Log-bk. of ‘Lyell’ 22 Dec. At 5 Reefed our Courses, furled the Fore Sail, brought to, and lay a try under Main Sail.a1734 R. North Lives of Norths (1826) II. 316 Sometimes a-try and sometimes a-hull we busked it out.1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. †2. A trial, a test. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > trial, test, or testing > [noun] fandingc1000 costningOE assay1330 say?c1335 assayingc1375 experimenta1382 proofc1390 experience1393 tastinga1400 probationc1422 probe?a1425 approof1436 fraistingc1440 examination?1510 saying1512 approving1523 trial1526 test1594 approbationa1616 trya1616 proval1622 tempting1623 probatea1643 experimental1659 testinga1834 a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) v. i. 9 Then this breaking of his, Ha's beene but a Try for his Friends? View more context for this quotation 3. Joinery. The condition of being ‘tried’ to a perfect level; cf. try v. 8. ΚΠ 1678 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. iv. 65 If your work be hollow in the middle, you must Plain both the Bearing sides thinner, till they come to a Try with the middle. 4. a. An attempt, endeavour, effort. Chiefly colloquial. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > endeavour > [noun] > an attempt tastec1330 assayc1386 proffera1400 proof?a1400 pluck?1499 saymenta1500 minta1522 attemptate1531 attempt1548 attemption1565 say1568 trice1579 offer1581 fling1590 tempt1597 essay1598 trial1614 tentative1632 molition1643 conamen1661 put1661 tentamen1673 conatus1722 shot1756 go1784 ettle1790 shy1824 hack1830 try1832 pop1839 slap1840 venture1842 stagger1865 flutter1874 whack1884 whirl1884 smack1889 swipe1892 buck1913 lash1941 wham1957 play1961 1832 R. H. Froude in Remains (1838) I. 322 Versification is out of my line, else I should have had a try at it. 1848 E. C. Gaskell Mary Barton II. x. 138 Don't give it up..let's have a try for him. 1890 Pall Mall Gaz. 30 July 2/2 The Emperor..succeeded at the first try. b. Rugby. The right of attempting to kick a goal, obtained by carrying the ball behind the goal-line and touching it on the ground. Cf. try at goal n. at Additions, touchdown n. (touch n. 14b). ΘΚΠ society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > rugby football > [noun] > scoring touch1845 run-in1846 rouge1856 touchdown1856 touch-in-goal1869 try1870 minor1883 minor point1884 pot1888 major point1896 penalty try1922 conversion1927 pushover1940 1845 W. D. Arnold et al. Football Rules of Rugby School in J. Smith Orig. Rules Rugby (2007) §5 Try at goal... The ball, when punted, must be within, when caught, without the line of Goal.] 1870 Sportsman 30 Mar. 1/6 At Richmond, v. The Gipsies. No try to either; drawn. 1880 Times 12 Nov. 4/5 The efforts of a worsted side..to gain the goal or the ‘try’ which is required to make the match a tie. 1893 Times 18 Dec. 10/3 The North were victors by two goals and two tries to three tries. II. An instrument for trying. †5. A sieve or sifting screen. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > freedom from impurities > removal of impurities > sifting > [noun] > sieve sievec725 riddereOE hair-sievea1100 riddlelOE sift1499 try?a1500 searcer1540 range-sieve1542 ranging sieve1548 cribble1565 cribe1570 screen1573 sifter1611 scryc1615 clensieve1623 cernicle1657 incernicle1657 ranch-sievea1665 duster1667 drum1702 fry1707 harp1788 lawn-sieve1804 trial1825 separator1830 lawn1853 shaker1906 chinois1937 microscreen1959 ?a1500 Nominale (Yale Beinecke 594) in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 808/14 Panducsator cum suis implementis... Hec falanga, a try. 1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch Morals 86 They will not passe thorough the holes of the sieve, ruddle, or trie, if they be narrow. 1644 G. Plattes in S. Hartlib Legacy (1655) 201 Mingling Corn with great Beans, exceeding hard dryed on a Kiln, which may be separated easily with a wire Trie. 1804 J. Duncumb Coll. Hist. County Hereford Gloss. Try, a wire screen for cleansing wheat from the chaff. †6. = trysail n. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > masts, rigging, or sails > sail > [noun] > trysail try1665 trysail1769 spencer1840 storm-trysail1851 storm-spencer1857 1665–6 High Court of Admiralty Exam. 22 Mar. 66 A maine course or try. Compounds General attributive. (In sense 4b.) try-getter n. ΚΠ 1954 J. B. G. Thomas On Tour iv. 43 The two wings, were the try-getters. 1977 Western Mail (Cardiff) 5 Mar. 3/3 England could well feel the backlash of these frustrated Welsh try-getters. try-getting n. ΚΠ 1954 J. B. G. Thomas On Tour 12 Without complete forward supremacy try-getting was like needle-hunting in the proverbial haystack. try-scorer n. ΚΠ 1930 Daily Express 8 Sept. 10/5 Try-scorers for the tourists in the first half were Rew and Jones-Davies. 1976 Scotsman 27 Dec. 11/1 Earlier try-scorers for Gala were Gordon Dickson and George Telfer. try-scoring n. ΚΠ 1974 Times 4 Feb. 7/2 With try-scoring so difficult, Wales missed a golden opportunity of taking a decisive lead midway through the first half. Draft additions December 2016 Rugby. An act of scoring by carrying or passing the ball over the opposing team's try line, and touching it on to the ground. A try is the primary method of scoring in both rugby codes. In Rugby Union, a successful try scores five points (formerly three) and in Rugby League four points; a player then attempts to convert the try by kicking the ball between the goalposts and over the crossbar for a further two points. ΚΠ 1885 Pall Mall Gaz. 2 Mar. 10/2 In the Rugby game Northampton beat Coventry by a try to love. 1907 A. H. Baskerville Mod. Rugby Football i. 12 A converted try..equals 5 points. 1922 Aeroplane 18 Jan. 44/2 Guy's [Hospital] worked back to the R.A.F. line and, following a scrummage outside, scored a try, the goal kick failing. 1957 Times 14 Nov. 17/2 Confident ‘coo-ees’ from both sides of the ground greeted this try [by the Australian rugby team]. 1987 Rugby World & Post Mar. 18/2 The result..saw Phil Matthews plunge over for a try from 5 yards out after a smoothly worked front peel. 2014 Yorks. Post 7 Nov. 23/3 A blitz of three tries at the start of the second half swung the tie and the series in New Zealand's favour. Draft additions December 2016 try line n. Rugby the line near each end of the pitch, behind which the ball must be touched on the ground in order to score a try; = goal line n. 1. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > rugby football > [noun] > parts of pitch touch1845 goalpost1857 goal line1860 touch-in-goal1863 field of play1871 twenty-five1877 dead-ball line1892 in-goal1897 try line1898 1898 Wingham (New S. Wales) Chron. 18 May 3/2 The Wingham forwards rushed the play to the try line. 1908 Manch. Guardian 8 Oct. 3/3 Wenner crossed the try line, but by a mistake ran over the dead ball line and missed a certain try. 1966 H. D. Jennings Durban High School Story 275 I have always thought that the supreme joy in rugby is in running—..running through the defence, or, best of all, running for your very life for the try line. 2005 J. H. Kerr Rethinking Aggression & Violence in Sport i. 9 New Zealand wing Jeff Wilson stepped past four defenders and dived for the try line. Draft additions December 2016 try at goal n. Rugby and American Football (now historical) an attempt to score a goal or point(s) by kicking the ball between the goalposts and over the crossbar, routinely awarded to a team following a try or touchdown; cf. conversion n. 11d. ΚΠ 1845 W. D. Arnold et al. Football Rules of Rugby School in J. Smith Orig. Rules Rugby (2007) 44 Try at Goal... The ball, when punted, must be within, when caught, without the line of Goal. 1897 Freeport (Illinois) Daily Jrnl. 23 Oct. In order for a try at goal from touchdown or a try at goal from the field to be successful (in which case the first play counts 2 points and the second 5) the ball must be kicked so as to pass between the two uprights and over the cross-bar. 1922 J. W. Heisman Princ. of Football 229 When it comes back, all he has to do is to adjust it as quickly as possible, place it down to the ground in the manner he is accustomed to holding it for any try-at-goal after touchdown, or as his particular coach or the kicker may desire him to do. 2007 Sun Herald (Sydney) (Nexis) 30 Sept. 102 The holy grail of modern rugby—the try—was originally worth nothing more than to set up a ‘try at goal’. A point was scored only if the subsequent kick went over. Draft additions December 2016 American Football. An attempt to score extra points, awarded to a team after scoring a touchdown. Cf. earlier try at goal n. at Additions.The team scores one point if a player successfully kicks the ball between the goalposts; the team scores two points if the ball is brought into the end zone in the manner of a touchdown. ΚΠ 1907 Sunday Herald (Boston) 3 Nov. 1/3 MacDonald, the Brown fullback, had failed to put the ball between the goal posts on his try for the extra point. 1959 Bryan (Texas) Daily Eagle 30 Aug. 9/1 The try-for-point foul rule has been amended to permit Team A, on a successful try for point, to accept penalty for foul by Team B and repeat the try for point. 1971 Boys' Life Nov. 63/3 That's how the game ended, 18-14 (Ludwig missed the try for the extra point). 2013 Buffalo (N.Y.) News 22 Dec. 15 Philly then scored touchdowns on its next two possessions to pull within 27-22 (if not for a failed two-point try it would have been 27-24). This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1915; most recently modified version published online March 2022). † tryadj. Forms: Middle English trie, Middle English tri, triȝe, Middle English–1500s trye, Middle English, 1600s try. Etymology: Middle English trie , etc., probably < Old French trié, past participle of trier to pick out, cull, select (see try v.), or Old French trie (noun) choice, ‘élite’, used attributively. Obsolete. 1. Choice, excellent, good; = tried adj. 2. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [adjective] > choice or excellent chisa700 ycorec900 trya1300 walea1325 richc1330 choice1340 tried1362 chief1519 select1590 selected1605 recherché1689 tid1727 pick1790 selectable1836 beauty1895 plum1923 shit-kicking1961 a1300 Sat. People Kildare xiv, in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 155 Worþ hit wer þat he wer king Þat ditid þis trie þing. c1315 Shoreham i. 1575 By-tuixe god and holy folk Loue hys wel trye and ryche. 1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. i. 135 Treuthe is tresore þe triest [v.rr. trieste, tryest, triȝest] on erþe. c1425 Cast. Persev. 536 in Macro Plays 93 He schal be serwaunt good & try. 1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene v. ii. sig. N6 Those hands of gold,..Those feete of siluer trye . View more context for this quotation 2. Joinery. Quite true, correctly wrought: cf. try n. 3, try v. 8. ΘΚΠ the world > space > shape > flatness or levelness > [adjective] > true or correctly wrought try1678 society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > constructing or working with wood > [adjective] > flat or level try1678 1678 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. vi. 101 If they can see light between the edge of the Rule and their Work: If they cannot they conclude their Work is Try, and well wrought. Derivatives † ˈtryly adv. (also triely) Obsolete choicely, excellently, finely. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [adverb] > choicely choicelya1375 trylya1375 triedly14.. pricelyc1450 selectedly1637 a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 3198 Tvo baþes were boun by a litel while, & a-tired tryli to trusty trewe lordes. a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 1228 Triliche was he a-tired in ful tristy armes. 1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. Prol. 14 I seigh a toure on a toft trielich ymaked. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1915; most recently modified version published online December 2021). tryv. Brit. /trʌɪ/, U.S. /traɪ/ Forms: Middle English–1500s tri, Middle English–1600s trie, trye, (Middle English treye, trei), Middle English– try. Past tense and participle tried /traɪd/; also Middle English (past tense) triȝed, (past participle ) triȝede, i-triȝed, -et, ytried, ytryed, Middle English y-tryid; Middle English treid, tryyd, Middle English–1500s tryede, Middle English–1600s tryde, Middle English–1800s tryed, Middle English ( tryude), triet, tryet (also 1500s Scottish), Middle English–1500s tryid, 1500s–1600s tride, tryd, Scottish tryit, 1600s tri'd, 1600s–1700s try'd. Etymology: < Old French trie-r (12th cent., Benoit Ducs de Norm. ii. 11518 Le tort del dreit Trier e conoistre e sevrer (to sift and know and sever the wrong from the right) = Provençal triar, Catalan triar, also medieval Latin triāre (from Provençal or French) to sift or pick out. The legal use appears to have been developed in Anglo-Norman, where it is known c1280; there is no trace of this use in continental French. The origin of the French and Provençal word is unknown. The conjecture of Frisch, mentioned by Diez and by Skeat, that it represents a late Latin trītāre to grind out, thresh out, frequentative of terĕre, is incompatible with the Provençal form. Another conjecture is that it was a transposed form of tirer* ‘to draw, extract’, in a specific sense; but evidence is wanting. 1. a. transitive. To separate (one thing) from another or others; to set apart; to distinguish. Often with out. Obsolete or archaic. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > discernment, discrimination > discern [verb (transitive)] > distinguish, separate winnowc825 tryc1330 distinguea1340 divide1377 departc1380 devisea1400 sever1426 perceivea1500 deem1530 discern1533 searcec1535 sort1553 to pick outa1555 decern1559 difference1596 distinguisha1616 severalize1645 separate1651 secern1656 run1795 define1807 sequester1841 differentiate1857 divaricate1868 c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 13260 Þey turnde ageyn, And tryde þe Bretons fro ilk Romeyn. 1413 26 Pol. Poems xii. 69 Til trouþe be fro treson tryed, Shal neuere be pes in regyon. ?1518 Cocke Lorelles Bote sig. C.ij With this man was a lusty company For all raskyllers fro them they dyde trye. 1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VII f. liiii^v He [sc. Henry VII] espyed and tried oute suche as he knewe..to beare no good wyll..towarde his person. 1592 W. Warner Albions Eng. (rev. ed.) vii. xxxvii. 163 For what is it but reason that humaine from brutishe tries? 1847 H. Bushnell Views Christian Nurture 7 Human children still, living a mixed life, trying out the good and evil of the world.] †b. To pick out, choose, select; past participle (quot. 1340-70), selected, choice (cf. tried adj. 2). ΘΚΠ the mind > will > free will > choice or choosing > types of choice > choose in specific way [verb (transitive)] > select from a number or for a purpose markOE to choose out1297 out-trya1325 cullc1330 welec1330 try1340 walea1350 coil1399 drawa1400 to mark outa1450 electa1513 sorta1535 prick1536 exempta1538 select1567 sort1597 to gather out1611 single1629 delibate1660 to cut out1667 outlooka1687 draught1714 draft1724 to tell off1727 1292 Britton ii. xxvii. §5 Face le viscounte trier xii. prodeshommes.] 1340–70 Alisaunder 1233 For too keepe in that kith cumlich & riche All his tresour ytryed. c1440 Pallad. on Husb. iv. 727 The kiyn also this tyme hit is to trie; Do chese hem that be chested huge & hie. c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 502/2 Tryin [v.r. tryyn], eligo, preeligo. a1525 ( Coventry Leet Bk. (1908) II. 484 See that the seid persones so be [= by] you to be tried oute & chosen. †2. a. To separate the good part of a thing from the rest, esp. by sifting or straining; hence, to sift or strain. Usually with out. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > freedom from impurities > removal of impurities > sifting > sift [verb (transitive)] try1382 searcec1400 garble1419 riddle1440 sieve1499 cribble1558 cribe1570 sift1591 succernate1623 cribrate1627 percribrate1652 screen1657 ridder1743 1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Exod. xvi. 31 The taast of it as of tryed floure with hony. c1420 J. Lydgate Assembly of Gods 2071 Try out the corne clene from the chaff. c1430 Two Cookery-bks. 11 Take ȝolkys of eyroun y-tryid fro þe whyte. ?a1475 Noble Bk. Cookry (1882) 90 Put it to gedur with a crust of bred and try it through a strener. 1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Pref. 10 The boulter tryeth out the branne. 1581 W. Stafford Compend. Exam. Complaints (1876) ii. 51 What neede they..to trie out the sandes of the ryuers of Tagus in Spaine, Pactolus in Asia, and Ganges in India, to get..small sparkes of gold. 1657 C. Beck Universal Char. sig. L8 To trye, or fine from the dreggs. 1790 W. Marshall Agric. Provincialisms in Rural Econ. Midland Counties II. 444 Try, to skreen. b. gen. To take or get out, to extract; also, in extended sense, To put into, insert. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > space > place > placing or fact of being placed in (a) position > insertion or putting in > insert or put in [verb (transitive)] to do ineOE to put ina1300 insetc1374 to throw ina1382 inducec1420 intriec1420 to set ina1425 tryc1440 enter1489 insert1529 turn1544 insere1557 infer1572 input1593 intromitc1600 introduce1695 to run in1756 the world > space > place > removal or displacement > extraction > extract [verb (transitive)] unteeOE to take out of ——c1175 forthdraw?a1300 out-takea1350 to take outa1382 excludec1400 dischargec1405 to get outc1432 tryc1440 extraya1450 out-have1458 to take fortha1550 extract1570 reave1640 eliciate1651 roust1658 uncork1740 to put out of ——1779 to break out1840 c1440 Pallad. on Husb. ii. 165 Impedymentis, rootis out thou trie. c1440 Pallad. on Husb. ii. 263 Aysell and wyne eke oute of hem men trie, As oute of peres. c1440 Pallad. on Husb. iii. 639 Wild asperages rootes many trie Into erthe ytilde. c1440 Pallad. on Husb. xii. 94 The boones..in askes moolde Thay mynge, and it thai into skeppes trie. †3. spec. To separate (metal) from the ore or dross by melting; to refine, purify by fire; also, to remove (the dross or impurity) from metal by fire. Usually with out. Also figurative. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > industry > working with specific materials > working with metal > work with metal [verb (transitive)] > extract from ore > smelt try13.. smelt1543 run1650 reduce1666 eliquate1759 resmelt1804 beneficiate1873 13.. K. Alis. (Bodl.) 828 Riche rede Itried golde. 13.. Coer de L. 6342 Tryyd sylvyr and tresore fyn. 1524 in Acts Parl. Scotl. (1875) XII. 41/1 Þe gold gais furth of þe sammyn [realm] in greit quantite becaus it is tryit to ane hieare price and valoure in vþir realmis. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Zech. xiii. 9 I..will clense them, as the syluer is clensed: Yee and trye them, like as golde is tryed. 1539 Bible (Great) Psalms xxvi. 2 Examen me, o Lord, & proue me: trie out my reynes and my hert. 1545 Bibliotheca Eliotæ Chalcites, a stone..wherof brasse is tried. 1555 in W. Page Inventories Church Goods York, Durham & Northumberland (1897) 152 So moche refuse and baggaige tried out, by meane of the melting of the said plate. 1572 Pat. Roll 14 Eliz. xii. m. 22 (P.R.O.) Thomas Smyth..hath..founde out and put in vse a newe and certene arte to trye out and make of yron verye true perfytt and good copper. 1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice ii. ix. 62 The fier seauen times tried this, Seauen times tried that iud[g]ement is, That did neuer choose amis. View more context for this quotation 1686 W. Harris tr. N. Lémery Course Chym. (ed. 2) 36 Coppels are porous vessels made in form of a cup, to be used for the trying and purifying of Gold and Silver. 4. a. To extract (oil) from blubber or fat by heat; to melt down (blubber, etc.), to obtain the oil; to render; also, to extract (wax) from a honey-comb. Usually with out. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > liquid > making or becoming liquid > action or process of melting > melt [verb (transitive)] > fat, etc. render1541 try1582 the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > making certain, assurance > assure, make certain [verb (transitive)] > establish as fact, ascertain trowa901 lookc1175 take1469 ascertaina1513 certain1523 favoura1530 establish1533 try1542 try1582 tie1623 secure1630 to make sure1644 true1647 determine1650 determinate1666 authenticate1753 constatea1773 verify1801 validate1957 1582 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxf. (1880) 423 No chaundeler shall..trie or melt any tallowe w^thin the walles. 1583 P. Barrough Methode of Phisicke iii. lxii. 157 Oyle tried out of woll in sheepes flanks or necks. 1634 J. Levett Ordering of Bees 51 After what manner doe you deale with your Combes to try out the waxe. 1852 G. C. Mundy Our Antipodes I. xii. 386 A dead whale was..‘tried out’ by some speculating fisherman. 1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. To try down, to boil out the oil from blubber at sea in whalers. 1883 A. Shea Newfoundland Fisheries 10 The fat is then cut up,..and tried out by steam. b. intransitive for passive. U.S. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > materials having undergone process > of materials: undergo process [verb (intransitive)] > be extracted try1891 1891 Cent. Dict. (at cited word) Grease tries out of a ham in cooking;..the perspiration is trying out of him. 5. †a. transitive. To ascertain, find out (something doubtful, obscure, or secret) by search or examination; to sift out. Usually to try out. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > testing > try, test [verb (transitive)] > by analysis tryc1325 to analyse out1845 the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > finding or discovery > find or discover [verb (transitive)] findOE yfindOE hita1075 befindc1200 out-findc1300 to try outc1325 to find outa1375 to find upc1390 ascryc1400 outwryc1400 inventc1475 vent1611 to hit off1680 discover1762 to scare up1846 to pick up1869 rumble1897 Cf. c1300–25 N. Bozon Contes Moralisés (1889) 9 La cause [of the attraction of the loadstone] ne peut estre triée.] c1325 Metr. Hom. 56 Yef we wil the sothe treye, Gon we til dom of our Leuedye.1430–40 J. Lydgate tr. Bochas Fall of Princes (Bodl. 263) i. viii. lf. 36/1 But folke that list off daunger hem discharge..Til the trouthe be tried out in deed.1567 R. Sempill in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. 34 Tresoun to try sho was that tyme maist stout; But sho is slak to try this tresoun out.1584 T. Cogan Hauen of Health i. 8 By this meanes doeth Galen trie out the time most fit for exercise.1675 tr. W. Camden Hist. Princess Elizabeth (rev. ed.) i. 129 They all agreed on this, that Lidington..should first try the Queen's mind.a1761 W. Law Comfort Weary Pilgrim (1809) 52 This therefore may serve as a touch~stone wherby every one may try the truth of his state. †b. With material object. Obsolete. rare. ΚΠ 1539 R. Pollard et al. in State Papers Henry VIII (1830) I. 619 We have dayly fownde and tryede oute bothe money and plate, hyde and muryde up in walls, vauttis and other secrette placis. c. To ascertain the truth or right of (a matter, a quarrel, etc.) by test or endeavour; with out, to thrash or fight out; to determine. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > making certain, assurance > assure, make certain [verb (transitive)] > establish as fact, ascertain trowa901 lookc1175 take1469 ascertaina1513 certain1523 favoura1530 establish1533 try1542 try1582 tie1623 secure1630 to make sure1644 true1647 determine1650 determinate1666 authenticate1753 constatea1773 verify1801 validate1957 1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes f. 163^v To trye y^e mater w^t dynte of swearde. 1545 Bibliotheca Eliotæ Disceptare armis, to trye by battayle. 1654 R. Codrington tr. Justinus Hist. xi. 298 He was enforced by them to try it out in battel with them. 1712 A. Pope tr. Statius First Bk. Thebais in Misc. Poems 34 The rushing Winds..With equal Rage their airy Quarrel try, And win by turns the Kingdoms of the Sky. 1857 A. Trollope Barchester Towers xxiii Mr. Arabin said that he would try the question out with Mrs Bold. d. to try out: to test the advantages, possibilities, or qualities of (a material or immaterial thing); also, to test (a person). Originally U.S. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > testing > try, test [verb (transitive)] cuneOE afondOE found1340 searcha1382 experiment1481 experience1541 probe1542 try1545 invent1548 sound1589 to bring or put to the test1594 plumb1599 to feel out1600 essay1656 test1748 plumb-line1875 to try out1888 the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > make experiment of or with [verb (transitive)] afondc1300 assailc1300 found1340 assay1377 taste1382 experiment1524 experience1541 try1545 attempt1563 practise1632 explore1667 experimentate1670 to taste of1700 to try out1888 to try (something)(on) for size1979 fand- the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > trial, test, or testing > try or test [verb (transitive)] > test (a person) fandc893 fanc1000 sifta1400 to try out1974 1888 Judge (N.Y.) 29 Dec. 190/1 Tried Out By Fire. 1898 R. Kipling Day's Work 160 The smoke of her trying-out insulted the beaches. 1906 N.Y. Evening Post 26 Oct. 1 The new rules have been but partially tried out. 1913 Aeroplane 13 Nov. 520/1 Picked pilots of proved experience who volunteer to ‘try out’ new types. 1920 A. E. W. Mason Summons xvi. A man had once tried him out with questions about Alicante. 1926 Publishers' Weekly 19 June 1963 Some Americans go abroad to try out golf links. Apparently others may get the habit of going abroad to try out printing presses. 1974 A. Price Other Paths to Glory iii. 254 He was being tried out on someone else's problem. 6. Law. To examine and determine (a cause or question) judicially; to determine the guilt or otherwise of (an accused person) by consideration of the evidence; to sit in judgement on; to judge. Also figurative †Also intransitive with of (quot. c1330 at sense 6a). (Probably the earliest sense recorded in English.) a. To try a cause or question. ΘΚΠ society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > trying or hearing of cause > try or hear cause [verb (transitive)] hearc1160 atry1330 tryc1330 to know upon ——1458 cognosce1607 advise1609 knowledge1609 1292 Britton i. v. §8 Et si n'i eynt mie asez, si soint les chalengs triez. Et si les chalengs soint trovez verrays [etc.].] c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 313 The wisest of þe clergie, with erles & barouns Togider went to trie of þer peticions. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 9686 Al þat þai striue a-mang þam thre, Thoru pes it agh at tried be. 1467 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith Eng. Gilds (1870) 401 To trye it by xij. men aftur the lawe in suche case provided. 1562 in J. Stuart Sel. Rec. Kirk Aberdeen (1846) 4 To trye, discusse, and examyn all faltis and offencis..off the haill inhabitantis off the burgh. a1631 J. Donne Poems (1650) 103 This will be tryed to morrow. 1756 W. Duncan tr. Cicero Sel. Orations x. 307 He..may desire to know what crime it is that is trying. 1770 C. Jenner Placid Man vi. iv Whilst the..cause had been trying at Mrs. Stapleton's fire-side [etc.]. 1815 W. Scott Guy Mannering II. 201 It was tried in the inner-house afore the fifteen. 1892 Sir A. Kekewich in Law Times Rep. 67 139/1 I have to try the case before me according to those cases. 1895 Daily News 4 Nov. 4/6 Mr. Justice Mathew, who tried the action,..had granted the injunction. b. To try a person. ΘΚΠ society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > trying or hearing of cause > try or hear cause [verb (transitive)] > try or hear person examine?a1425 try1538 adjudgea1578 1538 T. Elyot Dict. Interrogari legibus, to be tried by examination, that they had offended against the lawis. a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) ii. i. 21 The Iury..May in the sworne-twelue haue a thiefe, or two Guiltier then him they try . View more context for this quotation 1674 in F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney Mem. Verney Family 17th Cent. (1907) II. 317 Judg Torner's son, who was tryed for his life last November for killing a man. 1797 A. Radcliffe Italian II. v. 171 You must be tried before you are condemned. 1850 G. Cupples Green Hand v. 53/2 A gang o' Spanish pirates I saw tried for their lives. 1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) V. 450 Let him who dares to smite an elder be tried for assault. c. To submit (a case) for the judgment of a court of law. U.S. ΘΚΠ society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > trying or hearing of cause > try or hear cause [verb (transitive)] > submit case for trial try1905 1905 S. W. Mitchell Constance Trescot 166 ‘Do you still feel that all chance of settlement is out of the question?’ ‘Yes; I am instructed to try the case.’ 1911 Springfield (Mass.) Weekly Republican 8 June 6 A barrister does not, as in America, try cases of both kinds. 1931 N. Amer. Rev. Jan. 22 This is one of his jokes; he knows I can't afford to try criminal cases. It's been fifteen years since I've been in a criminal court. 7. a. To test the strength, goodness, value, truth, or other quality of; to put to the proof, test, prove. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > trial, test, or testing > try or test [verb (transitive)] fandc893 costeneOE afondOE provea1200 fraista1300 assay1330 sayc1330 try1362 approvec1380 examinea1382 winnowa1382 tempt1382 tastea1400 assailc1405 essay1484 scryc1615 sensea1688 test1748 trial1981 dogfood1997 1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. i. 183 Whan alle tresouris arn triȝede [83 I-triȝed] treuþ e is þe beste. c1400 (?c1380) Pearl l. 311 To leue no tale be true to tryȝe, Bot þat hys one skyl may dem. a1500 ( J. Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. (Rawl.) (1898) 188 No word Sholde out-Passe, but yf hit were triet wyth reyson. ?1533 W. Tyndale Expos. Mathew vi. f. lxxvi Except a man be proued and tryed, it cannot be knowen..that he is rightwisse. 1603 W. Shakespeare Hamlet i. iii. 62 Those friends thou hast, and their adoptions tried, Graple them to thee with a hoope of steele. 1825 T. Hook Sayings & Doings 2nd Ser. I. 279 Jumping and bumping himself about in Colonel Arden's new carriage in order to try the springs. 1881 J. A. Froude Short Stud. (1883) IV. ii. v. 230 He..had determined to try every fact..by the strict rules of inductive science. b. To examine (a person) for the purpose of testing his qualifications: cf. trial n.¹ 6, trier n. 5. Obsolete or historical. ΘΚΠ society > education > educational administration > examination > examine a candidate [verb (transitive)] examinea1402 examec1480 examinate1560 try1636 1636 in J. Bulloch Pynours (1887) 70 In cais any persone..desyr to be admittit a laborar at the Shoir..they must first be tryit be the watter Baillie. 1654 in C. H. Firth Clarke Papers (1899) III. 15 Those that sitte at Whitehall to try Ministers. †c. to try out: to reject after trial; in quot. 1542-3, to dismiss (a challenged juryman): cf. trier n. 2. ΘΚΠ society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > [verb (transitive)] > empanel a jury > withdraw or reject (a juror) to try out1542 withdrawa1676 to stand by1896 1542–3 Act 34 & 35 Hen. VIII c. 26 §46 If..the residue of the saide Iurye make defaulte or be tryed out. d. to try a door, window, etc., to ascertain by attempting to open it whether it is fastened or locked. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > open [verb (transitive)] > a door, gate, etc. > attempt to open (a door, window, etc.) to try a door1845 1845 C. Dickens Chimes i. 2 The night-wind..trying, with its unseen hand, the windows and the doors; and seeking out some crevices by which to enter. 1889 A. C. Gunter That Frenchman! iv. 37 Maurice..closes the door behind him, trying it to be sure the spring lock has worked. e. To put (a person) to the test to ascertain the truth of what is asserted or believed of him or her. Frequently in imperative try me. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > interrogation > question, interrogate [verb (transitive)] > call to account areasonc1250 arraignc1360 to do (also put, set) to reasona1400 reasona1400 to call to account1434 hale1587 try1970 the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > truthfulness, veracity > tell the truth [verb (transitive)] > test truth of look else1610 try1970 1970 V. Canning Great Affair xi. 193 ‘You'll not like it.’ ‘Try me.’ 1971 Scope (S. Afr.) 19 Mar. 124/2 ‘Miss Blandish..ahem..I take it that you can keep a secret?’ ‘Try me, Mr Stone.’ Her voice was like a soft caress. Her suggestion to ‘try her’ scared J. B. 1984 A. Price Sion Crossing vi. 106 ‘I think maybe you won't like it, Oliver.’.. ‘Try me.’ 8. Joinery. To bring (a piece of timber) to a perfectly flat surface by repeatedly testing it and planing off the projecting parts; to plane with the trying-plane; also to try up; also, to test the straightness of (a planed surface) or the correspondence of (adjoining surfaces); intransitive (of a surface) to prove accurate or straight when tested. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > constructing or working with wood > build or construct with wood [verb (transitive)] > trim, smooth, or plane try1593 shoot?1677 traverse1678 trim1679 stick1703 dub1711 adze1744 to rough off1748 strike1842 jack-plane1861 1593 T. Fale Horologiographia f. 2 Prepare a piece of very good wood, try it perfectly on both sides to an equall thicknesse. 1678 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. iv. 60 To lay Boards..flat against, whiles they are Trying or Plaining. 1678 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. v. 78 Try it again, as before, and if you find it Try all the way, you may..go over it again. 1679 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. ix. 156 Try one side flat,..and both the edges straight. 1683 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises II. 42 All its Sides are tryed square to one another. 1776 G. Semple Treat. Building in Water 85 After your Work is tried up or even put together. 1828 H. Adcock Builders' Pocket-bk. 52 Swedish deals.., if tried up square at night they will be crooked in the morning. 9. try on: to test the fit or style of (a garment) by putting it on. Also absol. ΘΚΠ the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > providing with clothing > provide with clothing [verb (transitive)] > put on > try on assay1592 say1600 try on1693 to fit on1842 1693 W. Congreve Old Batchelour iv. iii. 35 The Daughters only tore two Pair of Kid-Gloves, with trying 'em on. 1804 M. Edgeworth Will iv, in Pop. Tales I. 173 Miss Barton was trying on her dress. 1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xiii. 109 He..tried a new coat in Pall Mall. 1883 Harper's Mag. Feb. 446/1 She must go at once and ‘try on!’ It is a special order. 10. To subject to a severe test or strain; to strain the endurance or patience of, put to straits, afflict. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > adversity > suffer (adversity or affliction) [verb (transitive)] > afflict overharryeOE aileOE swencheOE besetOE traya1000 teenOE to work (also do) (a person) woeOE derve?c1225 grieve1297 harrya1300 noyc1300 travailc1300 to work (also do) annoyc1300 wrath14.. aggrievea1325 annoya1325 tribula1325 to hold wakenc1330 anguish1340 distrainc1374 wrap1380 strain1382 ermec1386 afflicta1393 cumbera1400 assayc1400 distressc1400 temptc1400 encumber1413 labour1437 infortune?a1439 stressa1450 trouble1489 arraya1500 constraina1500 attempt1525 misease1530 exercise1531 to hold or keep waking1533 try1539 to wring to the worse1542 pinch1548 affligec1550 trounce1551 oppress1555 inflict1566 overharl1570 strait1579 to make a martyr of1599 straiten1611 tribulatea1637 to put through the hoop(s)1919 snooter1923 the mind > emotion > suffering > cause of mental pain or suffering > cause mental pain or suffering to [verb (transitive)] heavyc897 pineeOE aileOE sorryeOE traya1000 sorrowOE to work (also do) (a person) woeOE angerc1175 smarta1200 to work, bake, brew balec1200 derve?c1225 grieve?c1225 sitc1225 sweam?c1225 gnawc1230 sughc1230 troublec1230 aggrievea1325 to think sweama1325 unframea1325 anguish1340 teen1340 sowa1352 distrainc1374 to-troublea1382 strain1382 unglad1390 afflicta1393 paina1393 distressa1400 hita1400 sorea1400 assayc1400 remordc1400 temptc1400 to sit (or set) one sorec1420 overthrow?a1425 visit1424 labour1437 passionc1470 arraya1500 constraina1500 misgrievea1500 attempt1525 exagitate1532 to wring to the worse1542 toil1549 lament1580 adolorate1598 rankle1659 try1702 to pass over ——1790 upset1805 to touch (also get, catch, etc.) (a person) on the raw1823 to put (a person) through it1855 bludgeon1888 to get to ——1904 to put through the hoop(s)1919 1539 Bible (Great) Heb. xi. 36 Other were tried w^t mockynges & scourgynges, moreouer, w^t bondes & presonment. [Cf. 3.] 1545 R. Ascham Toxophilus ii. f. 37 A syde wynde tryeth an archer and good gere verye muche. 1702 R. Nelson in Pepys' Diary, etc. (1879) VI. 257 If the Providence of God thinks fit to try you with the want of both. 1824 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto XVI l. 89 Her temper had been tried So much. 1825 Baroness Bunsen in A. J. C. Hare Life & Lett. Baroness Bunsen (1879) I. vii. 248 She has been tried in life more hardly than anybody whose..history I ever yet heard. 1859 T. B. Macaulay in G. O. Trevelyan Life & Lett. Macaulay (1876) II. xv. 470 This malady tries me severely. 1905 E. Glyn Vicissitudes Evangeline 142 You look very pale, child—the journey has tried you probably. 11. a. To test the effect or operation of; to use, apply, or practise tentatively or by way of experiment; to experiment with. try an experiment: to make an experiment; to do something in order to see what will come of it, or whether it produces the expected result. to try conclusions, try a fall, try masteries: see the nouns. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > testing > try, test [verb (transitive)] cuneOE afondOE found1340 searcha1382 experiment1481 experience1541 probe1542 try1545 invent1548 sound1589 to bring or put to the test1594 plumb1599 to feel out1600 essay1656 test1748 plumb-line1875 to try out1888 the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > make experiment of or with [verb (transitive)] afondc1300 assailc1300 found1340 assay1377 taste1382 experiment1524 experience1541 try1545 attempt1563 practise1632 explore1667 experimentate1670 to taste of1700 to try out1888 to try (something)(on) for size1979 fand- 1545 Primer Kynges Maiestie (STC 16034) sig. DD.iv^v Trye not the lawe with thy seruaunt. 1573 T. Tusser Fiue Hundreth Points Good Husbandry (new ed.) f. 10^v He that of wilfulnes trieth the lawe: shal striue for a coxcombe, & thriue as a dawe. 1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 141 It is good also, not to try Experiments in States. 1676 Lady Chaworth in 12th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1890) App. v. 29 Lady Portsmouth continues sicke, and some say she will try the French ayre, others the Bath watters. 1701 in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eminent Literary Men (1843) (Camden) 302 I wish you would try Smith and Walford for Cowper's Anatomy, and the Philosophical Transactions. 1702 Eng. Theophrastus 170 Those that will be trying masteries with their superiors. 1863 W. C. Baldwin Afr. Hunting vii. 246 I have tried fishing to-day, as I dare not fire a shot for fear of frightening the elephants. 1875 W. S. Jevons Money (1878) 246 The United States government tried a similar experiment. b. To experiment upon (with something); to test the effect of something upon. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > make experiment of or with [verb (transitive)] > upon a person with (something) try1784 1784 Cowper in Gentleman's Mag. 54 i. 413/1 By..trying him with a variety of herbs [I] restored him to perfect health. c. absol. or intransitive. To make experiment; †in quot. 1573 ? to practise. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > try experiments or make experiment [verb (intransitive)] taste1382 provec1390 assayc1394 try1573 to try conclusions1601 to give the adventure1607 experiment1787 experimentalize1800 experimentize1847 dogfood1996 1573 T. Tusser Fiue Hundreth Points Good Husbandry (new ed.) f. 24^v Dank linge forgot will quickly rot... Here learne & trie to turne it and drye. d. to try (one's) hand, to attempt to do something for the first time; to test one's ability or aptitude at something. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > try experiments or make experiment [verb (intransitive)] > try for the first time to try (one's) hand1710 1710 Ld. Shaftesbury Soliloquy 4 Who will willingly be the first to try our Hand. 1768 A. Tucker Light of Nature (1834) I. 384 Why should I be debarred the liberty of trying my hand as well as another? 1848 W. Irving Hist. N.Y. (rev. ed.) v. iii. 269 He determined to try his hand at negotiation. 1896 N. York Weekly Witness 30 Dec. 13/1 He prayed to be permitted to try his hand at spellbinding. e. To test the effect of (a thing) on (a person, thing, etc.). to try it on the (or a) dog: to test the effectiveness of something on someone regarded as being of lesser consequence than those for whom it is ultimately intended; Theatre, to test the possibilities of a play, etc., by performing it as a matinée or before a provincial audience. colloquial (originally U.S.). ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > [verb (intransitive)] > test performance to try it on the (or a) dog1878 the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > try experiments or make experiment [verb (intransitive)] > make trial run of something to dip one's toe in (the water)1901 to try it on the (or a) dog1903 the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > make experiment of or with [verb (transitive)] > a thing on (a person or thing) try1922 1878 Chicago Tribune 14 July 10/2 Mr. Pearson said: ‘Don't tell any of the newspaper men here about this [i.e. playing Falstaff]. I am just going to try it on a dog.’ 1890 A. Barrère & C. G. Leland Dict. Slang II. 377/1 Bootle's Baby’ will on the 7th of May be produced somewhere in the provinces. This is what the Americans call trying it on a dog. 1897 Daily Tel. 4 Feb. 9/1 If any enterprising person desires to make money from a play or a composition of music he does not boldly attempt the experiment upon the public. His shrewd suspicion that they would avenge the torture induces him to adopt the preliminary precaution of ‘trying it on the dog’—a creature of delicate susceptibilities, and very amenable to the influences of Teutonic bands and street-corner cornet solos. 1903 [see sense 15b]. 1922 H. Crane Let. 29 Sept. (1965) 101 I want to try Dial [a literary review] on ‘F and H’, before it goes anywhere else. 1941 G. Heyer Envious Casca xiv. 261 Mathilda had never felt less inclined to listen to a dissertation on the benefits of experience to an actress, and she very rudely told Paula to try it on the dog. f. to try in (Dentistry): to place (a denture or prosthesis) in the patient's mouth to test the fit. [ < the prepositional use illustrated in quot. 1896.] ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > healing > dentistry > practise dentistry [verb (transitive)] > procedures in making dentures set1844 flask1873 post-dam1910 to try in1921 1896 C. J. Essig Amer. Text-bk. Prosthetic Dentistry xi. 408 After the teeth of a full upper denture have been tried in the mouth and found to be correct, a protective rim is to be made.] 1921 D. Gabell Prosthetic Dentistry viii. 199 The dentures should be placed in tepid water with some pleasant antiseptic,..and then each separately tried in. 1968 Neill & Nairn Compl. Denture Prosthetics 101/2 When trying in the waxed-up dentures initially the opportunity is taken to..check the jaw relationships. g. try anything once: a cliché indicating (often somewhat unexpected) willingness on the part of a speaker to attempt or experience something new. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > try experiments or make experiment [verb (intransitive)] > be willing to try something new try anything once1921 1921 Ladies' Home Jrnl. July 20/1 This slogan runs, ‘Try anything once’. 1959 N. Mailer Advts. for Myself (1961) 160 ‘I am sort of curious about the film. I've never seen one [sc. a pornographic film], you know.’ ‘Try anything once, is that it?’ h. try-your-strength, try-your-weight: used attributively to designate an apparatus at a fair or the like which tests or measures a person's strength or weight. ΘΚΠ the world > life > the body > bodily constitution > bodily strength > [adjective] > apparatus for testing strength try-your-strength1929 society > leisure > entertainment > place of amusement or entertainment > fairground or amusement park > [adjective] > side-shows cosmoramic1827 try-your-strength1929 1929 J. B. Priestley Good Compan. i. iv. 135 One o' these try-your-strength things..—down with the 'ammer and up she goes and rings the bell. 1930 R. Lehmann Note in Music v. 214 A try-your-strength machine that gave him his money back. 1932 Radio Times 29 July 241/1 Everything to make them feel at home..try-your-weight machines, ‘diddlers’, peeps-at-Paris. 1963 P. G. Wodehouse Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves iii. 24 There was plenty and to spare of the Rev. H. P. Pinker. Even as a boy..he must have burst seams and broken try-your-weight machines. 1977 ‘E. Crispin’ Glimpses of Moon vi. 97 I want to try the Try-Your-Strength machine. 12. To endeavour to ascertain by experiment or effort; to attempt to find out; sometimes nearly = sense 11. a. with simple object (usually fortune, luck, or the like). ΚΠ 1574 J. Baret Aluearie F 955 I will aduenture, or trie and seeke my fortune. 1601 R. Johnson tr. G. Botero Trauellers Breuiat 51 If he had but thirtie thousand good footemen..he could haue found in his hart to trie his fortune with this enimie. 1741 S. Speed in Buccleuch MSS (Hist. MSS Comm.) (1899) I. 398 We shall go to Jamaica,..and try our luck once more. 1838 A. De Morgan Ess. Probabilities i. 21 They think they are trying their luck, as the phrase is. 1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. vii. 202 He tried the effects of frowns and menaces. 1885 ‘Mrs. Alexander’ At Bay x. 155 I have not yet been accepted. I have not even tried my chance. 1902 A. E. W. Mason Four Feathers viii If he tried his luck with Miss Eustace. b. with indirect interrogative clause (how, if, what, whether, etc.). ΚΠ a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) i. ii. 17 Ile trie how you can Sol, Fa, and sing it. View more context for this quotation a1648 Ld. Herbert Life (1976) 9 Many shipps scattering themselues to try whether they could obtayne a prize. 1680 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. xii. 208 Try how the Centers are pitcht, by Treading the Treddle lightly down. a1700 in Publ. Catholic Rec. Soc. (1911) 9 341 To trie what effects her Maiestys example might have on others. 1819 in Shelley Mem. (1859) 126 Let you and I try if we cannot be as punctual and businesslike as the best of them. 13. To show or find to be so by test or experience; to prove, demonstrate. (With simple object, object clause, infinitive, or object and complement.) Now rare or Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > testing > proof, demonstration > prove, demonstrate [verb (transitive)] i-sothea925 soothec950 fanda1000 kitheOE betell1048 showc1175 prove?c1225 treousec1275 stablisha1325 approve1340 verifyc1386 justifya1393 tryc1412 answer?a1425 appreve?c1450 to make gooda1470 convictc1475 averifyc1503 arguea1513 find1512 pree1515 comprobate1531 demonstrate1538 conclude1549 convince1555 argument1558 evict1571 avoucha1593 evidencea1601 remonstrate1601 clear1605 attaint1609 monstrate1609 evince1610 evince1611 improve1613 remonstrance1621 to make out1653 ascertain1670 to bring off1674 to make (something) to through1675 render1678 substantiatea1691 establisha1704 to bring out1727 realize1763 validate1775 c1412 T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum 2097 Deth hath but smal consideracioun Vnto þe vertuous,..No more..Than to a vicious maistir losel tried. c1500 in I. S. Leadam Select Cases Star Chamber (1903) I. 101 He wold not take oon peny of him Except his right were tryed good. a1556 N. Udall Ralph Roister Doister (?1566) v. i. sig. H.ij She may hir selfe discharge and trie hir honestie. ?1589 Whip for an Ape sig. A2 Sometimes his choppes doo walke in poynts too hie, Wherein the Ape himselfe a Woodcocke tries. 1599 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet iv. iii. 28 He hath still bene tried a holy man. View more context for this quotation 1642 Declar. Lords & Comm. 2 Sept. 5 Fasting and Prayer having bin often tryed to be very effectuall. 1892 J. Kent Racing Life Ld. G. C. Bentinck 47 Lord George Cavendish tried Godolphin to be a good horse. †14. To have experience of; to undergo, go through. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > operation upon something > have effect on [verb (transitive)] > be subjected to or undergo an action > undergo or experience feelOE seeOE passa1325 provec1330 attastec1374 wielda1375 tastec1380 sufferc1390 to pass through ——c1400 expert?a1475 traverse1477 experiment1484 savour1509 to taste of1526 to go through ——1535 sustain1575 approve1578 try1578 experience1588 undergo1600 to run through ——1602 pree1806 1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 26 Y^e quiet life which I haue tried being a maiden. 1635 A. Gil Sacred Philos. Holy Script. Pref. sig. ¶4 That treatise tryed the common fortune of all bookes; some slighted it.., others condemned it. 1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ix. 860 Never more Mean I to trie, what rash untri'd I sought, The paine of absence from thy sight. View more context for this quotation a1771 T. Gray Imit. Propertius in Wks. (1814) II. 88 Or if, alas! it be my fate to try Another Love. 15. a. To test one's ability to deal with (something); to attempt to do, perform, or accomplish (an action); to venture upon, to essay. to try over, to go through (a performance, etc.) experimentally. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > endeavour > attempt [verb (transitive)] fandOE assayc1300 tryc1315 provec1330 adventurea1387 sayc1390 paina1400 havec1400 practisea1450 afforcec1487 afond1488 attempta1538 procure1574 endeavour1581 offer1611 poacha1616 attent1620 to venture at1623 essay1641 attentate1656 smacka1657 tempt1697 to try at1794 to have a go1802 to make a (good, poor, etc.) fist1833 tackle1847 to have or take a whack at1891 to make (or have, etc.) a stab at (something)1895 to have a dash (at)1916 c1315 Shoreham i. 1290 Nou ich habbe of þe ferste yteld, Þat oþer wyl ich trye. a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 152 Nixt that a turnament wes tryid, That lang befoir in hell wes cryid. 1607 T. Walkington Optick Glasse 83 b This little barke.., which neuer tryed the foming maine beforne. 1638 F. Junius Painting of Ancients 12 All kind of worke seemeth to be hard before we doe try it. 1812 J. Wilson Isle of Palms ii. 489 The boat hath left the lonesome rock And tries the wave again. 1870 J. R. Lowell Among my Bks. 1st Ser. 176 Fancy a parody of Shakespeare... You might as well try it with the Venus of Melos. 1915 N.E.D. at Try Mod. I should like to try it over first. b. to try it on (with play on sense 9): to attempt an imposition; to endeavour to outwit or get the better of some one (usually const. with); spec. in Thieves' Cant, to live by thieving; also in favourable sense. slang. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > steal [verb (intransitive)] > be a thief one's fingers are all thumbs1546 to try it on1811 work1819 scavenge1938 the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > deceive [verb (intransitive)] > attempt to try it on1811 to come the raw prawn (over, with, etc.)1940 1811 Lexicon Balatronicum Try on, to endeavour. To live by thieving. Coves who try it on; professed thieves. 1812 Sporting Mag. 39 284 Witness agreed to try it on again although he considered himself in danger. 1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xxxiv. 305 No jokes, old boy; no trying it on on me. 1864 A. Lincoln in W. C. Church Ulysses Grant (1877) 231 I don't believe I can do it, but if you say so, I'll try it on. 1903 J. S. Farmer & W. E. Henley Slang VII. ii. 217/2 To try it on, to seek to outwit, get the better of, fleece, cheat... To try it on a dog = to experiment at another's expense or risk. 1912 Oxf. & Cambr. Rev. Nov. 14 If he tries it on, the audience..is ready to convince him of his mistake. 16. a. intransitive. To make an effort, endeavour, attempt. (With infinitive, or absol.) ΚΠ 1638 [implied in: T. Herbert Some Yeares Trav. (rev. ed.) 72 Ecbar is poysoned;..after foureteene dayes violent torment and trialls to expell the poyson, yeelds up his ghost. (at trial n.¹ 8)]. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 107 To repair his Strength he tries: Hardning his Limbs with painful Exercise. View more context for this quotation a1771 T. Gray Imit. Propertius in Wks. (1884) I. 154 While to retain the envious Lawn she tries. 1847 F. Marryat Children of New Forest I. iv. 57 You will have to try and try again. 1895 Pall Mall Gaz. 7 Oct. 1/3 England..has tried her best to head him off the path down which he seems determined to rush. 18.. Pop. Melody If at first you don't succeed, Try, try, try again. b. Followed by and and a coordinate verb (instead of to with infinitive) expressing the action attempted. colloquial. Cf. and conj.¹ 10. ΚΠ 1686 J. S. Hist. Monastical Convent. 9 They try and express their love to God by their thankfulness to him. 1802 H. Martin Helen of Glenross II. 143 Frances retired, to try and procure a little rest. 1819 Moore in Notes & Queries (1854) 1st Ser. 9 76/1 Went to the theatre to try and get a dress. 1855 in Coleridge Mem. Keble (1869) II. 425 I have something to write to you on that matter, which I shall try and put on another piece of paper. 1878 W. S. Jevons Polit. Econ. 42 If every trade were thus to try and keep all other people away. 1883 L. Oliphant Altiora Peto I. 251 He had good reason to think that Sark was likely to try and back out. c. Const. with preposition. to try for, to attempt to obtain or find (an object), or to reach (a place). to try at, to make an attempt upon, endeavour to get at; to attempt to do or accomplish. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > endeavour > make an attempt or endeavour [verb (intransitive)] fanda1225 procurea1325 assay1370 workc1384 to put oneself in pressc1390 purchasec1400 buskc1450 study1483 fend15.. try1534 enterprise1547 to make an attempt?c1550 to give the venture1589 prove1612 nixuriate1623 to lay out1659 essay1715 to bring (also carry, drive, etc.) one's pigs to market1771 to have (or take or give) a crack1836 to make an out1843 to go to market1870 to give it a burl1917 to have a bash (at)1950 the world > action or operation > endeavour > attempt [verb (transitive)] > attempt to obtain or attain to found toOE keepc1000 seekc1000 throwa1393 minta1400 intentc1450 to try for1534 sue1548 attempt?c1550 reachc1571 assay1595 put1596 to lay in for1599 climba1616 captate1628 court1639 obseek1646 solicit1717 to make a bid for1885 the world > action or operation > endeavour > attempt [verb (transitive)] fandOE assayc1300 tryc1315 provec1330 adventurea1387 sayc1390 paina1400 havec1400 practisea1450 afforcec1487 afond1488 attempta1538 procure1574 endeavour1581 offer1611 poacha1616 attent1620 to venture at1623 essay1641 attentate1656 smacka1657 tempt1697 to try at1794 to have a go1802 to make a (good, poor, etc.) fist1833 tackle1847 to have or take a whack at1891 to make (or have, etc.) a stab at (something)1895 to have a dash (at)1916 1534 in I. S. Leadam Select Cases Court of Requests (1898) 43 Your sayd humble subgett is a very powre man and nott able to trye for his sayd libertie..by the ordre of the comen lawe. 1653 in W. Mure Select. Family Papers Caldwell (1854) I. Quhen he went to search and try for the lard's hors y^t was stollen. 1763 J. Wesley Jrnl. 20 Aug. (1827) III. 138 We concluded to try for Larn, though we knew not the way. 1794 C. Smith Wanderings of Warwick 195 Xaviera..seemed, by an effort of resolution, to try at conquering her confusion. 1816 J. K. Tuckey Narr. Exped. River Zaire (1818) i. 10 The sea being much discoloured, we tried for soundings, but did not get bottom with 120 fathoms of line. 1913 Illustr. London News 16 Aug. 266/2 On three occasions he made some show of trying for a degree, and between times attended as few lectures as he could. d. intransitive and transitive. To search a place in order to find something, esp. game, or its scent. colloquial. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > hunting > hunt [verb (intransitive)] > search for game to cast about1575 cast1704 try1810 the world > food and drink > hunting > hunt [verb (transitive)] > search for game hunta1440 draw1575 try1909 1810 Sporting Mag. 36 233 He bid the other defendants try across the Six Acres. 1821 J. Clare Village Minstrel I. 125 Bees in every peep did try. 1827 G. A. McCall Lett. from Frontiers (1868) 178 The Colonel had directed Maximo to bring..all..appliances for hunting the green turtle; and the latter..was thus early in motion to ‘try’ after turtle. 1909 Toilers of Deep Oct. 246/1 Frequently they ‘try a piece’, as fishing parlance has it. e. intransitive. to try back: to go back (literal or figurative) so as to cover ground afresh where something has previously been missed; to ‘hark back’. ΘΚΠ society > travel > aspects of travel > travel in specific course or direction > direct one's course [verb (intransitive)] > turn back or retrace one's steps charec1000 i-cherrec1000 again-wendOE again-turna1375 to turn backc1425 reflect1608 redambulate1623 to tread back one's steps1777 back track1802 to try back1816 back-track1904 back-trail1907 1816 J. Jebb Let. 8 Jan. in J. Jebb & A. Knox Thirty Years' Corr. (1834) II. 273 At college, I was obliged to try back in mathematics. Through daily life, I am obliged to try back in minor morals. 1857 T. Hughes Tom Brown's School Days i. vii. 167 They tried back slowly and sorrowfully, and found the lane. 1863 G. J. Whyte-Melville Gladiators 233 Like a hound..now trying back with untiring perseverance. 1874 R. St. J. Tyrwhitt Our Sketching Club 3 To get people to see when their work won't do, and to try back and attempt simpler things. f. transitive. To attempt or solicit (a woman); to endeavour to seduce; also of a stallion, to attempt to cover (a mare). ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > love > flirtation or coquetry > flirt with [verb (transitive)] > attempt to seduce (a woman) try1713 tempta1721 the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > horse defined by gender or age > [verb (transitive)] > serve mares (of stallion) > try or travel to try1811 walk1898 1713 Lady M. W. Montagu Lady's Resolve In part she is to blame that has been try'd; He comes too near, that comes to be deny'd. 1811 Sporting Mag. 38 212 The horse took as much pains to try the mare as any stallion. †17. Nautical. intransitive. Of a vessel: To lie to. (See quot. 1867.) Also, to try a-hull. Obsolete.The meaning in first quot. is doubtful. ΘΚΠ society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of sails, spars, or rigging > support (an amount of) sail [verb (intransitive)] > lie to trya1584 to lie by1623 to lay by1697 to lie to1711 to lay to1798 1533 J. Heywood Play of Wether sig. C The see..where shyppes by meane of wynd try from port to port.] a1584 S. Borough in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations (1589) ii. 315 When the barke had way, we cut the hawser, and so gat the sea to our friend, and tryed out all that day with our maine corse. a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) i. i. 34 Downe with the top-Mast: yare, lower, lower, bring her to Try with Maine-course. View more context for this quotation 1726 H. de Saumarez in Philos. Trans. 1725 (Royal Soc.) 33 427 We had hard Gales..and a distracted Sea, insomuch that we try'd under a double reef'd Mainsail, great Part of the Time. 1773 Life N. Frowde 122 We were obliged..to ly too, and let the Ship drive with the Tempest, and at length, to try a Hull. 1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Try, or Lie-to in a Gale, is by a judicious balance of canvas, to keep a ship's bow to the sea, and..prevent her rolling to windward in the trough of a sea. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1915; most recently modified version published online March 2022). > see also also refers to : try-comb. form < n.?a1500adj.a1300v.13.. see also
随便看	lethality lethalize lethaller lethallest lethallier lethalliest lethalling lethally lethals letharge lethargean lethargic lethargical lethargically lethargicalness lethargicness lethargies lethargine lethargious lethargise lethargised lethargises lethargising lethargize lethargized

tryn.

Compounds

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† tryadj.

Derivatives

tryv.

> see also