essay 作为名词的时候,其意思是：文章；散文
例句:The professor wrote an essay yesterday.
昨天这位教授写了一篇文章.
essay 作为动词的时候,其意思是：尝试；试图
例句：He essayed to speak but Peter told him to be quiet.
他试图发言,但彼得让他不要讲话.