assay

  1. Noun.  trial, attempt, essay.
  2. Noun.  the qualitative or quantitative chemical analysis of something.
  3. Verb.  (transitive) To attempt (something). (defdate, from 14th c.) .
  4. Verb.  (obsolete, intransitive) To try, attempt ((term, to) do something). (defdate, 14th-19th c.) .
  5. Verb.  (transitive) To analyze or estimate the composition or value of (a metal, ore etc.). (defdate, from 15th c.) .
  6. Verb.  (obsolete, transitive) To test the abilities of (someone) in combat; to fight. (defdate, 15th-17th c.) .

This is an unmodified, but possibly outdated, definition from Wiktionary and used here under the Creative Commons license. Wiktionary is a great resource. If you like it too, please donate to Wikimedia.

This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.