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Assay

 - 8 dictionary results

as⋅say

[v. a-sey; n. as-ey, a-sey]
–verb (used with object)
1. to examine or analyze: to assay a situation; to assay an event.
2. Metallurgy. to analyze (an ore, alloy, etc.) in order to determine the quantity of gold, silver, or other metal in it.
3. Pharmacology. to subject (a drug) to an analysis for the determination of its potency or composition.
4. to judge the quality of; assess; evaluate: to assay someone's efforts.
5. to try or test; put to trial: to assay one's strength; to assay one's debating abilities.
6. to attempt; try; essay: to assay a dance step.
–verb (used without object)
7. to contain, as shown by analysis, a certain proportion of usually precious metal.
–noun
8. Metallurgy. determination of the amount of metal, esp. gold or silver, in an ore, alloy, etc.
9. a substance undergoing analysis or trial.
10. a detailed report of the findings in assaying a substance.
11. Archaic. examination; trial; attempt; essay.

Origin:
1250–1300; ME < MF; var. of essay


as⋅say⋅a⋅ble, adjective
as⋅say⋅er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Assay
as·say   (ās'ā', ā-sā')   
n.  
    1. Qualitative or quantitative analysis of a metal or ore to determine its components.

    2. A substance to be so analyzed.

    3. The result of such an analysis.

  1. An analysis or examination.

  2. A bioassay.

  3. Archaic An attempt; an essay.

v.   (ā-sā', ās'ā') as·sayed, as·say·ing, as·says

v.   tr.
    1. To subject (a metal, for example) to chemical analysis so as to determine the strength or quality of its components.

    2. To bioassay.

  1. To examine by trial or experiment; put to a test: assay one's ability to speak Chinese.

  2. To evaluate; assess: assayed the situation before taking action. See Synonyms at estimate.

  3. To attempt; try.

v.   intr.
To be shown by analysis to contain a certain proportion of usually precious metal.

[Middle English, from Old French essai, assai; see essay.]
as·say'a·ble adj., as·say'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

assay  (v.)
1330, from Anglo-Fr. assaier, from assai (n.), from O.Fr. essai "trial" (see essay).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Financial Dictionary

Assay

The act of testing the purity of precious metals.

Investopedia Commentary

In futures contracts where the underlying commodities are precious metals, the quality must be assayed to ensure that they are of basis grade.

Related Links

Futures Fundamentals

See also: Basis Grade, Bullion, Commodity, Futures Contract, Futures Market, Precious Metal, Underlying, Vault Receipt

Investopedia.com. Copyright © 1999-2005 - All rights reserved. Owned and Operated by Investopedia Inc.
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Financial Dictionary

assay

A test to determine the purity of gold, silver, or other precious metals. Metals used for delivery of futures contracts must be assayed to verify that they meet standards established by the exchange on which the contracts trade.

Wall Street Words: An A to Z Guide to Investment Terms by David L. Scott.
Copyright © 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 1as·say
Pronunciation: 'as-"A, a-'sA
Function: noun
1 : examination and determination as to characteristics (as weight,measure, or quality)
2 : analysis (as of a drug) to determine the presence, absence, or quantity of one or more components —compare BIOASSAY
3 : a substance to be assayed; also : the tabulated result of assaying

Main Entry: 2as·say
Pronunciation: a-'sA, 'as-"A
Function: transitive verb
: to analyze (an impure substance or mixture) for one or morespecific components assayed for drug content>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

assay as·say (ās'ā', ā-sā')
n.

  1. Qualitative or quantitative analysis of a substance, especially of an ore or a drug, to determine its components.

  2. A substance to be so analyzed.

  3. The result of such an analysis.

  4. An analysis or examination.

v. as·sayed, as·say·ing, as·says (ā-sā', ās'ā')
  1. To subject a substance to chemical analysis.

  2. To examine a person's capability by trial or experiment; put to a test.

  3. To evaluate a situation; assess.

  4. To attempt; try.

  5. To be shown by analysis to contain a certain proportion of atoms, molecules, compounds, or precious metal.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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