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essai

attempt, try

noun eh-SAY Less Common
Arts & Culture Literature

Also means

essay (literary); trial (sport)

Usage Note

Essai covers a trial attempt (faire un essai = 'to give it a try'), a literary essay (un essai philosophique), and in rugby, a try (marquer un essai). The expression à l'essai means 'on a trial basis'. The verb essayer means 'to try', and un essayage is a clothing fitting.

Examples

"Elle a fait plusieurs essais avant de réussir."

Natural Translation

She made several attempts before succeeding.

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