assay
- 01 C1 Advanced
n.a test to find out how much of a specific metal or chemical is in a sample.
n.a procedure in metallurgy or biology for measuring the presence, amount, or functional activity of a target entity.
Simple“The laboratory performed an assay to check the purity of the gold coin.”
In context“The environmental agency conducted a biological assay to determine the concentration of pollutants in the river water.”
UsageOften used with 'of' to specify the substance being tested.
Synonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
v.to test a metal or ore to see what it contains.
v.to examine or analyze a substance, typically a metal or drug, to determine its components or quality.
Simple“The miners sent the rocks to be assayed for silver content.”
In context“Before the pharmaceutical company could release the new drug, they had to assay every batch for chemical consistency.”
UsageThis verb is transitive and requires a direct object, usually the material being tested.
- 03 C2 Proficiency
v.to try to do something, especially something difficult.
v.to attempt or try a task or action; often implies a trial or testing of one's own abilities.
Simple“He did not assay the steep climb until the weather improved.”
In context“The young knight was eager to assay his strength against the seasoned champions in the tournament.”
Teacher's tipIn modern English, 'attempt' is much more common; 'assay' in this sense is restricted to high-register literature or historical contexts.
“The cellular and in vitro biogenesis assays developed by the team make it possible to measure how their properties change during assembly and maintenance.”
“The strip’s chemically treated nitrocellulose paper functions as an immunochromatographic assay that can detect the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi .”
From Middle English assay (noun) and assayen (verb), from Anglo-Norman assai (noun) and Anglo-Norman assaier (verb), from Old French essai. Doublet of essay.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.