Main Entry: ¹as·say

Pronunciation: \ˈa-ˌsā, a-ˈsā\

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