Attempted (7)
'attempted' is the definition.
('essay' can be a synonym of 'attempt')
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for essayed that I've seen before include "Attempted, endeavoured" , "Tried (E, not A)" , "tested" , "Attempted, tried" , "Made formal attempt" .)
'attempted' is the definition.
('try' can be a synonym of 'attempt')
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for tried that I've seen before include "heard in court" , "Tested" , "Made an attempt" , "Essayed" , "Proven by experience" .)