n.
Pronunciation: ' a- ˌ s ā , a- ' s ā
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French assai, essai ― more at ESSAY
Date: 14th century
1 archaic : TRIAL , ATTEMPT
2 : examination and determination as to characteristics (as weight, measure, or quality)
3 : 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
4 : a substance to be assayed also : the tabulated result of assaying