Assay: meaning, definitions and examples

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assay

 

[ əˈseɪ ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

scientific research

An analysis of a substance to determine its composition, quality, or purity.

Synonyms

analysis, examination, test

Examples of usage

  • Chemists use assays to determine the concentration of a particular element in a sample.
  • The assay of the drug revealed its active ingredients.
Context #2 | Verb

scientific research

To analyze a substance to determine its composition, quality, or purity.

Synonyms

analyze, examine, test

Examples of usage

  • The researchers will assay the samples for any impurities.
  • They will assay the soil for nutrient content.

Translations

Translations of the word "assay" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ensaio

🇮🇳 परीक्षण

🇩🇪 Test

🇮🇩 uji

🇺🇦 аналіз

🇵🇱 analiza

🇯🇵 試験 (しけん)

🇫🇷 analyse

🇪🇸 análisis

🇹🇷 analiz

🇰🇷 시험

🇸🇦 اختبار

🇨🇿 analýza

🇸🇰 analýza

🇨🇳 分析 (fēnxī)

🇸🇮 analiza

🇮🇸 greining

🇰🇿 талдау

🇬🇪 ანალიზი

🇦🇿 analiz

🇲🇽 análisis

Etymology

The word 'assay' originated from Middle English 'assaien', from Old French 'assayer', 'to try', from Vulgar Latin 'exagiare', from 'ex-', meaning 'out', and 'agiare', 'to weigh'. The term was originally used in the context of testing the quality of metals by fire. Over time, it evolved to encompass the wider concept of analyzing substances for composition and purity.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,822 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.