πειράω πεῖρα Act. to attempt, endeavour, try to do, c. inf., Il., Hdt., etc. c. gen. pers. to make trial of one, Il.: in hostile sense, to make an attempt on, Hom., Hdt. absol. to try oneʼs fortune, try oneʼs skill in thieving, Hhymn.; ναυσὶ π. to make an attempt by sea, Thuc.; cf. πειρατής. c. acc. pers. to make an attempt on, Ar. Dep. in the same sense, c. inf. to try to do, Il., Hdt.;—also foll. by εἰ, to try whether, Il.; by μή, Od. most commonly, c. gen., c. gen. pers. to make trial of one, to see whether he is trustworthy, Hom., Hdt.:—also in hostile sense, to make trial of the strength of an enemy, Il.; π. τῆς Πελοποννήσου to make an attempt on it, Hdt.; τοῦ τείχους Thuc. c. gen. rei, to make proof or trial of oneʼs strength, Hom.:— to try oneʼs chance at or in a work or contest, Hom.:—also to make proof of a thing, to see what it is good for, τόξου, νευρῆς Od.:— to make proof of, have experience of, make acquaintance with others, Hdt., Thuc. absol. to try oneʼs fortune, try the chances of war, Il. c. dat. modi, to make a trial or attempt with, ἐπειρήσαντο πόδεσσι tried their luck in the foot-race, Od.; σφαίρηι πειρήσαντο Od.; also, π. σὺν ἔντεσι, σὺν τεύχεσι πειρηθῆναι Il. c. acc. rei, ἢ ἕκαστα πειρήσαιτο or should examine into each particular, Od. c. acc. pers. to make an attempt on, Pind.