test1
n.
- a procedure intended to establish the quality, performance, or reliability of something.
▸a short examination of a person's skill or knowledge.
▸a difficult situation revealing the strength or quality of someone or something.
▸an examination of part of the body or a body fluid for medical purposes.
▸Chemistry a procedure employed to identify a substance or to reveal the presence or absence of a constituent within a substance.
- a means of testing something.
-
(Test)
short for Test match.
- Metallurgy a movable hearth in a reverberating furnace, used for separating gold or silver from lead.
v.
subject to a test.
▸produce a specified result in a medical test.
▸Chemistry examine by means of a reagent.
▸touch or taste before proceeding further.
Phrase
- test the water
ascertain feelings or opinions before proceeding further.
Derivative
- testability n.
- testable adj.
- testee n.
Etymology
ME (denoting a cupel used to treat gold or silver alloys or ore): via OFr. from L. testu, testum ‘earthen pot’, var. of testa ‘jug, shell’; cf. test2.
test2
n.
Zoology the shell or integument of some invertebrates and protozoans.
Etymology
C19: from L. testa ‘tile, jug, shell’; cf. test1.
