湖边社【每日一词】assay - n. 化验；试验 vt. 分析；化验；尝试 vi. 鉴定；经检验证明内含成分
Definition:
1 of 2
verb
1a: to analyze (something, such as an ore) for one or more specific components
assayed the gold to determine its purity
1b: to judge the worth of : ESTIMATE
assay the results of the new changes
2: TRY, ATTEMPT
Again Israel assayed to reply, but could not. —Herman Melville
intransitive verb : to prove up in an assay
assayer noun
2 of 2
noun
1: examination and determination as to characteristics (such as weight, measure, or quality)
2: analysis (as of an ore or drug) to determine the presence, absence, or quantity of one or more components
also : a test used in this analysis
3: a substance to be assayed
also : the tabulated result of assaying
4archaic : TRIAL, ATTEMPT
Synonyms
Verb - analyze,anatomize,break down,cut,deconstruct,dissect
Noun - analysis,anatomizing,anatomy,breakdown,deconstruction,dissection
Example Sentences
Verb
They assayed the gold to determine its purity.
the company assayed a sample of the rock to see if it contained gold in quantities worth mining
Noun
a metallurgist did an assay on the metal and determined it contained nickel
the poem about a frustrated man's last assay at greatness
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
This is a golden opportunity to do the standard shadow primary work of defining yourself and defining your opponent, creating some clear terms by which voters can easily assay the differences between your campaign and Trump’s.
—Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 3 Aug. 2023
Both sets of Naggs and Nells assay their parts splendidly.
—Peter Marks, Washington Post, 6 Feb. 2023