test

Definition

A challenge, trial.

Etymology

From Middle English test, teste, from Old French test, teste (“an earthen vessel, especially a pot in which metals were tried”), from Latin testum (“the lid of an earthen vessel, an earthen vessel, an earthen pot”), from *terstus, past participle of the root *tersa (“dry land”). See terra, thirst. The examination sense came via metaphor of the metallurgical sense - the way a metallurgist puts to the test his gold, a teacher may put to the test their students' knowledge.

Example Sentences

• "Numerous experimental tests and other observations have been offered in favor of animal mind reading, and although many scientists are skeptical, others assert that humans are not the only species capable of representing what others do and don’t perceive and know."
• "It's Christmas at ground zero / The button has been pressed / The radio / Just let us know / That this is not a test"
• "Who would excel, when few can make a test / Betwixt indifferent writing and the best?"