assay

C2+ Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /æˈseɪ/ UK /əˈseɪ/ See IPA manual

Minimal pairs

Sounds like essay /ɛ/ vs /æ/

Meanings

1

noun
a test of the quality or composition of a substance, especially an ore or metal

The assay confirmed that the nugget was nearly pure gold.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a test of the quality or... test analysis evaluation appraisal examination trial analyze evaluate

Word family

Forms assayer

Derived forms assayerassayable

Related forms essay

Simplified etymology

Assay entered English in the Middle English period with the meaning “try” or “test.” It ultimately goes back to Latin exigere, “ascertain” or “weigh,” and later produced the variant form essay.

Etymology

From Old French assai, essai ('trial, attempt'), from Late Latin exagium ('a weighing'), from Latin exigere ('to weigh, examine'), from ex- ('out') + agere ('to drive, do').

assai Old French exagium Latin agere Latin

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Abstract Ideas Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# assay

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /æˈseɪ/
**IPA (UK):** /əˈseɪ/

## Meanings
1. a test of the quality or composition of a substance, especially an ore or metal

## Examples
- The assay confirmed that the nugget was nearly pure gold.

## Synonyms
- test
- analysis
- evaluation
- appraisal
- examination
- trial
- analyze
- evaluate

## Derived Forms
- assayer
- assayable

## Related Forms
- essay

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: assai
- Root: exagium
- Root: agere

## Etymology
From Old French assai, essai ('trial, attempt'), from Late Latin exagium ('a weighing'), from Latin exigere ('to weigh, examine'), from ex- ('out') + agere ('to drive, do').

## AI Etymology
Assay is a noun and verb meaning "a test of the quality or composition of a substance, especially an ore or metal". Historically, it is from Old French assai, essai ('trial, attempt'), from Late Latin exagium ('a weighing'), from Latin exigere ('to weigh, examine'), from ex- ('out') + agere ('to drive, do'). The visible construction is part of the etymology: assay is not just an unanalyzed simple word. The historical chain links Old French assai, Latin exagium, and Latin agere. Close English family members include assayer, assayable, and essay.

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas
- Word Formation & Derivatives

markdown