to assay
1
9.9
- verb
- /əˈseɪ/
- Archaic
:
intentar
- She mounted these as she had those others, getting both feet onto one before she assayed the next.
Examples
-
Hardy assayed a cold smile.
Fiction book (1999) -
"She studied him to assay his response.
Fiction book (1991) -
And David girded his sword upon his armor and he assayed to go.
-
First we talk about an idea, then we assay it in newspapers, magazines, television, and radio, and finally we decide whether it merits permanent remembrance.
Academic text (2000) -
Assuming this holds true, there will be nothing left to do but to assay the various predictions made by pundits, pollsters, and prognosticators, and see which ones hold up and which ones don't.
Blog text (8) -
She decided to assay her skills by trying out for the lead role in the play.
-
Before writing the article, the journalist wanted to assay the public's opinion on the topic.
-
After much consideration, he chose to assay a new approach to the problem.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
To make an effort to do something difficult
∞
1.3
To try to do something that is difficult or new
∞
1.0
Try to find or get something you want
10
5.3
To try to do something when you are not sure you will succeed
1
7.7
To try something in a careful, experimental way
1
5.3
To try to do something when you are not sure you will succeed
Compounds
- Specialized
A scientific test that measures how a substance affects living things compared to a known standard
- Specialized
A lab test that uses an enzyme to find antibodies or germs in blood
- Specialized
A lab test that uses antibodies to find or measure proteins in body samples
How Determined
Surface Forms
Etymology
A helpful way to remember assay in its older use is to link it to essay: both come from a word meaning 'to try'. So to assay once meant simply to 'attempt' something, which is why you may see it in old or literary writing with that meaning.