assay

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Trial, attempt.

   • I am withal persuaded that it may prove much more easy in the assay than it now seems at distance.
2. 2

   Examination and determination

   Examination and determination; test.

   • This cannot be, by no assay of reason.
3. 3

   The qualitative or quantitative chemical analysis of something.

4. ›+ 10 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      Trial by danger or by affliction

      Trial by danger or by affliction; adventure; risk; hardship; state of being tried.

      • Through many hard assayes which did betide.
   2. 5

      Tested purity or value.

      • Purfled with gold and pearl of rich assay.
   3. 6

      The act or process of ascertaining the proportion of a particular metal in an ore or alloy

      The act or process of ascertaining the proportion of a particular metal in an ore or alloy; especially, the determination of the proportion of gold or silver in bullion or coin.

   4. 7

      The alloy or metal to be assayed.

   5. 8

      To attempt (something).

      • To-night let us assay our plot.
      • Soft words to his fierce passion she assayed.
      • Who seest the stark array And hast not stayed to count But singly wilt assay The many-cannoned mount[…].
   6. 9

      To try, attempt (to do something).

      • When Saul cam to Jerusalem he assayde to cople hymsilfe with the apostles, and they wer all afrayde of hym and beleved not that he was a disciple.
   7. 10

      To analyze or estimate the composition or value of (a metal, ore etc.).

   8. 11

      To test the abilities of (someone) in combat

      To test the abilities of (someone) in combat; to fight.

      • I wold not by my wille that ony of vs were matched with hym Nay said sir Gawayne not so it were shame to vs were he not assayed were he neuer soo good a knyghte
   9. 12

      To affect.

      • when the heart is ill assay'd
   10. 13

       To try tasting, as food or drink.

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