Try escorts, losing heart maybe (5)
I believe the answer is:
essay
'try' is the definition.
('essay' can be a synonym of 'try')
'escorts losing heart maybe' is the wordplay.
'losing heart' suggests removing the centre.
'maybe' becomes 'say'.
'escorts' with its middle removed is 'es'.
'es'+'say'='ESSAY'
(Other definitions for essay that I've seen before include "Short literary piece: attempt" , "Make an effort to write one" , "School composition" , "Composition; attempt" , "Attempt - written work" .)