Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Try \Try\, n.
   In Rugby and Northern Union football, a score (counting three
   points) made by grounding the ball on or behind the
   opponent's goal line; -- so called because it entitles the
   side making it to a place kick for a goal (counting two
   points more if successful).

Try \Try\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {tried}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Trying}.] [OE. trien to select, pick out, F. trier to cull,
   to out, LL. tritare to triturate (hence the sense of, to
   thresh, to separate the grain from the straw, to select), L.
   terere, tritum, to rub, bruise, grind, thresh. See {Trite}.]
   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.]
      --Sir T. Elyot.

   2. To purify or refine, as metals; to melt out, and procure
      in a pure state, as oil, tallow, lard, etc. --Shak.

            The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver
            tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
                                                  --Ps. xii. 6.

            For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us,
            as silver is tried.                   --Ps. lxvi.
                                                  10.

   3. To prove by experiment; to apply a test to, for the
      purpose of determining the quality; to examine; to prove;
      to test; as, to try weights or measures by a standard; to
      try a man's opinions.

            Let the end try the man.              --Shak.

   4. To subject to severe trial; to put to the test; to cause
      suffering or trouble to.

            Thus far to try thee, Adam, I was pleased. --Milton.

Try \Try\, a. [Cf. {Try}, v. t.]
   Refined; select; excellent; choice. [Obs.] ``Sugar that is
   try.'' --Chaucer.

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.

   2. To do; to fare; as, how do you try! [Prov. Eng.]

Try \Try\, n.
   1. A screen, or sieve, for grain. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
      --Holland.

   2. Act of trying; attempt; experiment; trial.

            This breaking of his has been but a try for his
            friends.                              --Shak.

   {Try cock}, a gauge cock. See under {Gauge}.

Source : WordNet®

try
     n : earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or
         accomplish something; "made an effort to cover all the
         reading material"; "wished him luck in his endeavor";
         "she gave it a good try" [syn: {attempt}, {effort}, {endeavor},
          {endeavour}]
     [also: {tried}]

try
     v 1: make an effort or attempt; "He tried to shake off his
          fears"; "The infant had essayed a few wobbly steps";
          "The police attempted to stop the thief"; "He sought to
          improve himself"; "She always seeks to do good in the
          world" [syn: {seek}, {attempt}, {essay}, {assay}]
     2: put to the test, as for its quality, or give experimental
        use to; "This approach has been tried with good results";
        "Test this recipe" [syn: {test}, {prove}, {try out}, {examine},
         {essay}]
     3: put on trial or hear a case and sit as the judge at the
        trial of; "The football star was tried for the murder of
        his wife"; "The judge tried both father and son in
        separate trials" [syn: {judge}, {adjudicate}]
     4: take a sample of; "Try these new crackers"; "Sample the
        regional dishes" [syn: {sample}, {try out}, {taste}]
     5: examine or hear (evidence or a case) by judicial process;
        "The jury had heard all the evidence"; "The case will be
        tried in California" [syn: {hear}]
     6: give pain or trouble to; "I've been sorely tried by these
        students"
     7: test the limits of; "You are trying my patience!" [syn: {strain},
         {stress}]
     8: melt (fat, lard, etc.) in order to separate out impurities;
        "try the yak butter"; "render fat in a casserole" [syn: {render}]
     9: put on a garment in order to see whether it fits and looks
        nice; "Try on this sweater to see how it looks" [syn: {try
        on}]
     [also: {tried}]