ASSAY (2)

assay (2). Assay, n. a trial, proof, examination, first effort

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As‐say″, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Assayed (�); p. pr. & vb. n. Assaying.] [[OF. asaier, essaier, F. essayer, fr. essai. See Assay, n., Essay, v.]] 1. 1. To try; to attempt; to apply.
To-night let us assay our plot. Shak. Soft words to his fierce passion she assayed. Milton. 2. 2. To affect.
When the heart is ill assayed. Spenser. 3. 3. To try tasting, as food or drink.
4. 4. 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.