Assay — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /a-ˈsā/ (verb) /ˈa-ˌsā/ (noun) as·say

Meaning & Definition of Assay

Assay (verb)

  1. to analyze (something, such as an ore) for one or more specific components
  2. to judge the worth of, estimate
  3. try, attempt

Assay (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

Assay (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the separation and identification of the parts of a whole

    "a metallurgist did an assay on the metal and determined it contained nickel"

    similar: analysis, anatomizing, anatomy, breakdown, deconstruction, dissection
    related: assessment, diagnosis, evaluation, examination, inspection, investigation, muster, scrutiny, arrangement, assortment, cataloging, categorization, classification, codification, indexing, enumeration, inventory, itemization, tabulation, division, reduction, segmentation, separation, subdivision
    near: agglomeration, aggregation, amalgamation, assimilation, coalescence, conglomeration, consolidation, integration, synthesis, unification

  2. an effort to do or accomplish something

    "the poem about a frustrated man's last assay at greatness"

    similar: attempt, bash (chiefly British), bid, crack, endeavor, essay, fling, go, offer, pass, shot, stab, trial, try, whack, whirl
    related: striving, struggle, throes, undertaking, trial and error

Assay (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to identify and examine the basic elements or parts of (something) especially for discovering interrelationships

    "the company assayed a sample of the rock to see if it contained gold in quantities worth mining"

    similar: analyze, anatomize, break down, cut, deconstruct, dissect
    related: assess, diagnose, evaluate, examine, inspect, investigate, scrutinize, arrange, assort, catalog, categorize, classify, codify, diagram, enumerate, index, order, schematize, sort, tabulate, divide, reduce, segment, separate, subdivide
    near: agglomerate, aggregate, amalgamate, assimilate, coalesce, conglomerate, consolidate, integrate, synthesize, unify

  2. to make an effort to do

    "assaying the task of writing his autobiography"

    similar: attempt, endeavor, essay, seek, strive, try, have a go at, shoot at, try one's hand (at)
    related: fight, strain, struggle, toil, trouble, work, aim, aspire, hope, assume, take up, undertake
    near: drop, give up, quit

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Assay

The most common words with a similar meaning to Assay:

Chiefly British: bash
analysis, anatomizing, anatomy, breakdown, deconstruction, dissection, attempt, bid, crack, endeavor, essay, fling, go, offer, pass, shot, stab, trial, try, whack, whirl, analyze, anatomize, break down, cut, deconstruct, dissect, seek, strive, have a go at, shoot at, try one's hand (at)

Related Words for Assay

assessment, diagnosis, evaluation, examination, inspection, investigation, muster, scrutiny, arrangement, assortment, cataloging, categorization, classification, codification, indexing, enumeration, inventory, itemization, tabulation, division, reduction, segmentation, separation, subdivision, striving, struggle, throes, undertaking, trial and error, assess

Near Antonyms of Assay

agglomeration, aggregation, amalgamation, assimilation, coalescence, conglomeration, consolidation, integration, synthesis, unification, agglomerate, aggregate, amalgamate, assimilate, coalesce, conglomerate, consolidate, integrate, synthesize, unify, drop, give up, quit

Word Forms of Assay

Inflections: assayed, assaying, assays

Derived words: assayer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Assay

Middle English, from Anglo-French assai, essai essay:1

First known use: 14th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Assay

Words & Phrases Containing Assay

enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

Frequently Asked Questions about Assay

What does "Assay" mean?

"Assay" means to analyze (something, such as an ore) for one or more specific components. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to analyze (something, such as an ore) for one or more specific components. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Assay"?

Other words for "Assay" include analysis, anatomizing, anatomy, breakdown, deconstruction, dissection, attempt and bash. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Assay" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Assay"?

There are 98 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Assay". Common alternatives include analysis, anatomizing, anatomy, breakdown, deconstruction, dissection, attempt, bash, bid and crack.

How do you use "Assay" in a sentence?

Examples of "Assay" in a sentence: "a metallurgist did an assay on the metal and determined it contained nickel"; "the poem about a frustrated man's last assay at greatness"; "the company assayed a sample of the rock to see if it contained gold in quantities worth mining".

Is "Assay" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Assay" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Assay" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Assay" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Assay"?

"Assay" is pronounced /a-ˈsā/ as a verb and /ˈa-ˌsā/ as a noun and divided into syllables as as·say.

What is the origin of the word "Assay"?

"Assay" comes from Middle English, from Anglo-French assai, essai essay:1. First known use: 14th centuryt.