assay

Definition

Trial, attempt.

Etymology

From Middle English assay (noun) and assayen (verb), from Anglo-Norman assai (noun) and Anglo-Norman assaier (verb), from Old French essai. Doublet of essay.

Example Sentences

• "I am withal persuaded that it may prove much more easy in the assay than it now seems at distance."
• "This cannot be, by no assay of reason."
• "Through many hard assayes which did betide."