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verb Try v. t. (past & past part. tried; pres. part. trying) 1.To divide or separate, as one sort from another; to winnow; to sift; to pick out; frequently followed by out; as, to try out the wild corn from the good. (Obs.) 2.To purify or refine, as metals; to melt out, and procure in a pure state, as oil, tallow, lard, etc. "The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times." "For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried." 3.To prove by experiment; to apply a test to, for the purpose of determining the quality; to examine; to prove; to test; as, to try weights or measures by a standard; to try a man's opinions. "Let the end try the man." 4.To subject to severe trial; to put to the test; to cause suffering or trouble to. "Thus far to try thee, Adam, I was pleased." "These are the times that try men's souls." 5.To experiment with; to test by use; as, to try a remedy for disease; to try a horse. "Come, try upon yourselves what you have seen me." "To ease her cares the force of sleep she tries." 6.To strain; to subject to excessive tests; as, the light tries his eyes; repeated disappointments try one's patience. 7.(Law) 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." 9.To experience; to have or gain knowledge of by experience. "Or try the Libyan heat or Scythian cold." 10.To essay; to attempt; to endeavor. "Let us try... to found a path." To try on. (a)To put on, as a garment, to ascertain whether it fits the person. (b)To attempt; to undertake. (Slang) Synonyms: 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." "Alack, I am afraid they have a waked, And 't is not done. The attempt, and not the deed, Confounds us."
Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48
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