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Added 9 October 2026

assay

/ˈæseɪ/ noun

In Latin: obrussa Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about assay at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Trial, attempt.
Examination and determination; test.
The qualitative or quantitative chemical analysis of something.

verb

To attempt (something). .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
To try, attempt (to do something).
To analyze or estimate the composition or value of (a metal, ore etc.).

Origin

From Middle English assay (noun) and assayen (verb), from Anglo-Norman assai (noun) and Anglo-Norman assaier (verb), from Old French essai. Doublet of essay.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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