Definition Definition

assay - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'assay' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Assay [ n.]
- Trial; attempt; essay.
- Examination and determination; test; as, an assay of bread or wine.
- Trial by danger or by affliction; adventure; risk; hardship; state of being tried.
- Tested purity or value.
- The act or process of ascertaining the proportion of a particular metal in an ore or alloy; especially, the determination of the proportion of gold or silver in bullion or coin.
- The alloy or metal to be assayed.
2 . Assay [ v.]
- To try; to attempt; to apply.
- To affect.
- To try tasting, as food or drink.
- To subject, as an ore, alloy, or other metallic compound, to chemical or metallurgical examination, in order to determine the amount of a particular metal contained in it, or to ascertain its composition.
3 . Assay [ v. i.]
- To attempt, try, or endeavor.

Meaning of 'assay' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . assay [ n]
Meaning (1):
- an appraisal of the state of affairs
Example in sentence:
  • a check on its dependability under stress;
  • they made an assay of the contents
2 . assay [ v]
Meaning (2):
- make an effort or attempt
Example in sentence:
  • He sought to improve himself;
  • He tried to shake off his fears;
  • She always seeks to do good in the world;
  • The infant had essayed a few wobbly steps;
  • The police attempted to stop the thief