ASSA'Y, n. L. sequor assequor, to follow, to examine. See Essay.
1. The trial of the goodness, purity, weight, value, &c. of metals or metallic substances. Any operation or experiement for ascertaining the quantity of a precious metal in an ore or mineral. Analysis is a term of more comprehensive import, extending to an examination of the nature and quantities of all parts of the compound.
2. In law, an examination of weights and measures by the standard.
3. Examination trial effort first entrance upon any business attempt. In these senses, which are found in old authors, now rarely used. See Essay.
4. Value great purity. Obs.
ASSA'Y,
1. To try or prove, by examination or experiment, the quantity and purity of metallic substances.
2. To apply to the touchstone.
The King James Bible has stood its ground for nearly 400 years. However, during that time the English language has changed, and with it the meanings of some words it used. Here are more than 6,500 words whose definitions have changed since 1611.Wikipedia
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