5. To experiment with; to test by use; as, to try a remedy for disease; to try a horse. Come, try upon yourselves what you have seen me. Shak. To ease her cares the force of sleep she tries. Swift.
6. To strain; to subject to excessive tests; as, the light tries his eyes; repeated disappointments try one's patience.
7. (Law)
Defn: To examine or investigate judicially; to examine by witnesses or other judicial evidence and the principles of law; as, to try a cause, or a criminal.
8. To settle; to decide; to determine; specifically, to decide by an appeal to arms; as, to try rival claims by a duel; to try conclusions. Left I the court, to see this quarrel tried. Shak.
9. To experience; to have or gain knowledge of by experience. Milton. Or try the Libyan heat or Scythian cold. Dryden.
10. To essay; to attempt; to endeavor. Let us try . . . to found a path. Milton. To try on. (a) To put on, as a garment, to ascertain whether it fits the person. (b) To attempt; to undertake. [Slang] Dickens.
Syn. — To attempt; endeavor; strive; aim; examine. — Try, Attempt. To try is the generic, to attempt is the specific, term. When we try, we are usually uncertain as to success; when we attempt, we have always some definite object in view which we seek to accomplish. We may be indifferent as to the result of a trial, but we rarely attempt anything without a desire to succeed. He first deceased: she for a little tried To live without him; liked it not, and died. Sir H. Wotton. Alack, I am afraid they have a waked, And 't is not done. The attempt, and not the deed, Confounds us. Shak.
TRY
Try, v. i.
1. To exert strength; to endeavor; to make an effort or an attempt; as, you must try hard if you wish to learn.