test

¹

[ test ]

noun

1. the means by which the presence, quality, or genuineness of anything is determined; a means of trial.

   Synonyms: assay, proof

2. the trial of the quality of something:

   to put to the test.

3. a particular process or method for trying or assessing.
4. a set of questions, problems, or the like, used as a means of evaluating the abilities, aptitudes, skills, or performance of an individual or group; examination.
5. Psychology. a set of standardized questions, problems, or tasks designed to elicit responses for use in measuring the traits, capacities, or achievements of an individual.
6. Chemistry.
   1. the process of identifying or detecting the presence of a constituent of a substance, or of determining the nature of a substance, commonly by the addition of a reagent.
   2. the reagent used.
   3. an indication or evidence of the presence of a constituent, or of the nature of a substance, obtained by such means.
7. an oath or other confirmation of one's loyalty, religious beliefs, etc.
8. British. a cupel for refining or assaying metals.

verb (used with object)

1. to subject to a test of any kind; try.

   Synonyms: examine, prove, assay

2. Chemistry. to subject to a chemical test.
3. Metallurgy. to assay or refine in a cupel.

verb (used without object)

1. to undergo a test or trial; try out.
2. to perform on a test:

   People test better in a relaxed environment.

3. to conduct a test:

   to test for diabetes.

test

²

[ test ]

noun

1. Zoology. the hard, protective shell or covering of certain invertebrates, as echinoderms or tunicates.
2. Botany. testa.

test.

³

abbreviation for

1. testator.
2. testimony.

Test.

⁴

abbreviation for

1. Testament.

test

¹

/ tɛst /

noun

1. the hard or tough outer covering of certain invertebrates and tunicates
2. a variant of testa

test

²

/ tɛst /

verb

1. to ascertain (the worth, capability, or endurance) of (a person or thing) by subjection to certain examinations; try
2. often foll by for to carry out an examination on (a substance, material, or system) by applying some chemical or physical procedure designed to indicate the presence of a substance or the possession of a property

   to test for magnetization

   to test food for arsenic

3. intr to achieve a specified result in a test

   a quarter of the patients at the clinic tested positive for the AIDS virus

4. tr to put under severe strain

   the long delay tested my patience

5. test the water
   to make an exploratory or initial approach; sound out

noun

1. a method, practice, or examination designed to test a person or thing
2. a series of questions or problems designed to test a specific skill or knowledge

   an intelligence test

3. a standard of judgment; criterion
4. 1. a chemical reaction or physical procedure for testing a substance, material, etc
   2. a chemical reagent used in such a procedure

      litmus is a test for acids

   3. the result of the procedure or the evidence gained from it

      the test for alcohol was positive

5. sport See test match
6. archaic.
   a declaration or confirmation of truth, loyalty, etc; oath
7. modifier performed as a test

   test drive

   test flight

Derived Forms

• ˈtesting, adjective
• ˈtestable, adjective
• ˌtestaˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• testa·ble adjective
• testa·bili·ty noun
• testing·ly adverb
• non·testa·ble adjective
• non·testing adjective
• self-testing adjective
• un·testa·ble adjective
• un·tested adjective
• well-tested adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of test¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English: test(e), tast(e) “crucible; cupel,” from Old French “test, teste,” Latin testū, testum “earthenware pot”; akin to test ²

Origin of test²

First recorded in 1840–45; from Latin testa “tile, shell, covering”; akin to test ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of test¹

C19: from Latin testa shell

Origin of test²

C14 (in the sense: vessel used in treating metals): from Latin testum earthen vessel

Idioms and Phrases

see acid test ; put to the test .

Synonym Study

See trial.

Example Sentences

Develop a hypothesis, test the hypothesis and try to disprove it.

From Slate

It means replicating a test, over and over, to prove that the results weren’t an accident.

From Slate

It means changing the parameters of that test one variable at a time, trying to get from correlation to causation.

From Slate

It’s also a test, intentional or not: Just how loyal is the rest of the GOP?

From Salon

"Test matches against South Africa are always thrilling contests, and I'm sure Saturday will be no exception."

From BBC

Related Words

• analysis
• approval
• assessment
• attempt
• check
• evaluation
• experiment
• final
• inquiry
• inspection
• investigation
• search
• standard
• trial