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assayed - 2 dictionary results

as⋅say

  [v. a-sey; n. as-ey, a-sey]
Use assayed in a Sentence
–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

Related forms:
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 assayed
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.
  2. An analysis or examination.
  3. A bioassay.
  4. 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.
  2. To examine by trial or experiment; put to a test: assay one's ability to speak Chinese.
  3. To evaluate; assess: assayed the situation before taking action. See Synonyms at estimate.
  4. 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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