try

transitive verb tried, trying

1. Obsolete to separate; set apart
2. : usually with out
   1. to melt or render (fat, etc.) to get (the oil)
   2. to extract or refine (metal, etc.) by heating
3. Now Rare to settle (a matter, quarrel, etc.) by a test or contest; fight out
4. 1. to examine and decide (a case) in a law court
   2. to determine legally the guilt or innocence of (a person)
   3. to preside as judge at the trial of (a case or person)
5. to put to the proof; test
6. to subject to trials, annoyance, etc.; afflict: Job was sorely tried
7. to subject to a severe test or strain: rigors that try one's stamina
8. to test the operation or effect of; experiment with; make a trial of: to try a new recipe
9. to attempt to find out or determine by experiment or effort: to try one's fortune in another city
10. to make an effort at; attempt; endeavor: followed by an infinitive [try to remember] or, informally, by and used in place of to as the sign of the infinitive [try and remember]
11. to attempt to open (a door or window) in testing to see whether it is locked
12. Obsolete to find to be so by test or experience; prove

intransitive verb

1. to make an effort, attempt, or endeavor
2. to make an experiment

noun pl. tries

1. the act or an instance of trying; attempt; effort; trial
2. Rugby a scoring play in which the ball is grounded on or behind the opponent's goal line