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DictionaryassaySubstance testing
noun / verb

assay

uh-SAY/ˈæsi/

A test to measure a substance’s content or strength.

The laboratory runs an assay to measure the sample's gold content.

Modern lab technician tests a small ore sample using crucible and precision balance, content-quality test, no labels.
Etymology
assayLatina weighing

From a weighing, the meaning developed into a trial of quality, especially the purity of metal. An assay retains this testing sense, assessing what a substance contains or how pure it is.

In context

NRG Oncology2:20
NATA signatera test which is a tumor informed assay where a piece
NRG-GI008, the "CIRCULATE-North America" Study Overview

More examples

  • The chemist assays each batch before shipment.
  • The two assays produced similar results.
  • They are assaying the material for impurities.

Forms

assay · assays · assayed · assaying

Similar words

analysis
A broader examination that need not measure content or strength.
test
Any procedure checking a property rather than a quantitative substance analysis.