Word
assay
Phoneticsas·say, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈæsi/
UK/ɐsˈeɪ/
Definitions
01chemical testing
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Science Technical
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.
“The laboratory performed an assay to check the purity of the gold coin.”
“The environmental agency conducted a biological assay to determine the concentration of pollutants in the river water.”
Synonyms
02to analyze a substance
C1 · Advanced Science Technical
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.
“The miners sent the rocks to be assayed for silver content.”
“Before the pharmaceutical company could release the new drug, they had to assay every batch for chemical consistency.”
03to attempt
C2 · Proficiency Literary · Formal
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.
“He did not assay the steep climb until the weather improved.”
“The young knight was eager to assay his strength against the seasoned champions in the tournament.”
Usage
Often paired with 'of' to specify the substance being tested.
Real-World Examples
“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 .” Etymology
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.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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