test

[ test ]

/ tɛst /

noun

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

the trial of the quality of something: to put to the test.

a particular process or method for trying or assessing.

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.

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.

Chemistry.

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.
the reagent used.
an indication or evidence of the presence of a constituent, or of the nature of a substance, obtained by such means.

an oath or other confirmation of one's loyalty, religious beliefs, etc.

British. a cupel for refining or assaying metals.

verb (used with object)

to subject to a test of any kind; try.

Chemistry. to subject to a chemical test.

Metallurgy. to assay or refine in a cupel.

verb (used without object)

to undergo a test or trial; try out.

to perform on a test: People test better in a relaxed environment.

to conduct a test: to test for diabetes.

Origin of test

1350–1400; Middle English: cupel < Middle French < Latin testū, testum earthen pot; akin to test²

SYNONYMS FOR test

1 proof, assay.

9 assay, prove, examine.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR test ON THESAURUS.COM

synonym study for test

1. See trial.

OTHER WORDS FROM test

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

Words nearby test

tessera, tesseract, tessie, tessin, tessitura, test, test act, test ban, test blank, test card, test case

Definition for test (2 of 4)

test ²

[ test ]

/ tɛst /

noun

Zoology. the hard, protective shell or covering of certain invertebrates, as echinoderms or tunicates.

Botany. testa.

Origin of test

1535–45; < Latin testa tile, shell, covering; akin to test¹

Definition for test (3 of 4)

test.

testator.

testimony.

Definition for test (4 of 4)

Test.

Testament.

Example sentences from the Web for test

If it was the United States, the operation will test the bounds of international law.

Cyberwar on North Korea Could Be Illegal |Shane Harris |December 23, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
It took the entire day, but the slow pace indicated that it was probably a test to gauge public reaction.

The Monuments Men of Occupy Hong Kong |Brendon Hong |December 4, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Still other media sources are reporting that the DNA test is awaiting results.

The ISIS Wife Swap Mystery |Jacob Siegel |December 3, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
It should be noted that LA tap water, rather than NYC's famed brand, was chosen for the test.

The Bottled Water Taste Test |The Daily Beast Video |December 1, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

The 2014 midterms were a test flight for the CounterPAC model.

How to Fight Corruption With Game Theory |Mark McKinnon |November 29, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
But his courage was at last put to a test of which he had never dreamed.

Strange Stories of Colonial Days |Various
On this account he overcame his slight feeling against Mr. Dare, and put a question to test that gentleman's capacities.

A Laodicean |Thomas Hardy
The test here imagined, that of concealing the eyes, would answer as little in real as in pictured life.

Margaret Fuller (Marchesa Ossoli) |Julia Ward Howe
He could imagine the sort of test Galbraith had put her to before giving her a job at all.

The Real Adventure |Henry Kitchell Webster
(B) Test the lifting power of the little wire magnet by seeing about how many iron filings its poles will raise.

The Study of Elementary Electricity and Magnetism by Experiment |Thomas M. St. John

British Dictionary definitions for test (1 of 2)

test ¹

/ (tɛst) /

verb

to ascertain (the worth, capability, or endurance) of (a person or thing) by subjection to certain examinations; try

(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 food for arsenic; to test for magnetization

(intr) to achieve a specified result in a test a quarter of the patients at the clinic tested positive for the AIDS virus

(tr) to put under severe strain the long delay tested my patience

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

noun

a method, practice, or examination designed to test a person or thing

a series of questions or problems designed to test a specific skill or knowledge an intelligence test

a standard of judgment; criterion

a chemical reaction or physical procedure for testing a substance, material, etc
a chemical reagent used in such a procedurelitmus is a test for acids
the result of the procedure or the evidence gained from itthe test for alcohol was positive

sport See test match

archaic a declaration or confirmation of truth, loyalty, etc; oath

(modifier) performed as a test test drive; test flight

Derived forms of test

testable, adjective testability, noun testing, adjective

Word Origin for test

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

British Dictionary definitions for test (2 of 2)

test ²

/ (tɛst) /

noun

the hard or tough outer covering of certain invertebrates and tunicates

a variant of testa

Word Origin for test

C19: from Latin testa shell

Medical definitions for test

test

[ tĕst ]

n.

A procedure for critical evaluation; a means of determining the presence, quality, or truth of something; an examination, or experiment.

A physical or chemical change by which a substance may be detected or its properties ascertained.

A reagent used to cause or promote such a change.

v.

To subject to a test; try.

To determine the presence or properties of a substance.

To administer a test.

To exhibit a given characteristic when subjected to a test.

Idioms and Phrases with test

test

see acid test; put to the test.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

test

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Origin of test

SYNONYMS FOR test

synonym study for test

OTHER WORDS FROM test

Words nearby test

Definition for test (2 of 4)

noun

Origin of test

Definition for test (3 of 4)

Definition for test (4 of 4)

Example sentences from the Web for test

British Dictionary definitions for test (1 of 2)

verb

noun

Derived forms of test

Word Origin for test

British Dictionary definitions for test (2 of 2)

noun

Word Origin for test

Medical definitions for test

n.

v.

Idioms and Phrases with test

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

test

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Origin of test

SYNONYMS FOR test

synonym study for test

OTHER WORDS FROM test

Words nearby test

Definition for test (2 of 4)

noun

Origin of test

Definition for test (3 of 4)

Definition for test (4 of 4)

Words related to test

Example sentences from the Web for test

British Dictionary definitions for test (1 of 2)

verb

noun

Derived forms of test

Word Origin for test

British Dictionary definitions for test (2 of 2)

noun

Word Origin for test

Medical definitions for test

n.

v.

Idioms and Phrases with test