1. In various senses of the vb.; = ASSAYER 1, 2, 3.
1611. Cotgr., Credentier, a Princes Taster, Essayer, Cup-bearer.
1663. Blair, Autobiog., iii. (1848), 57. The long-rested land yielded such plentiful harvests that many followed the first essayers.
1870. J. Roskell, in Eng. Mech., 18 March, 647/2. The centre, which the essayer calls the eye.
† 2. One who ‘essays’ a certain form of composition, or attempts to treat a certain subject; in later use = ESSAYIST. Obs.
1664. H. More, Myst. Iniq., 353. As a late Essayer upon the Apocalyps imagines.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 68, ¶ 2. He [Tully] hath been followed by all the Essayers upon Friendship, that have written since his time.
1711. J. Dennis, Refl. on Pope’s Essay on Criticism, 28. Mr. Walsh was like this Essayer a very indifferent Poet.
1712. Hughes, Spect., No. 525, ¶ 3. The Essayers in Lampoon and Satyr.
