/ əˈseɪ; NAmE / noun
[ C , U ] ( technical ) the testing of metals and chemicals for quality, often to see how pure they are
► assay verb [ vn ]
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in the general sense testing, or a test of, the merit of someone or something ): from Old French assai (noun), assaier (verb), variant of essai trial, essayer to trybased on late Latin exagium weighing, from the base of exigere ascertain, weigh.