assay office

noun

1. a local testing station for assaying ore, as gold or silver, especially a government station maintained in connection with the registration of mineral claims, purchases of gold, or the like.

Word History and Origins

Origin of assay office¹

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

A paste-pot left overnight in an assay office was found in the morning filled with the oddest collection of rubbish.

From Project Gutenberg

There is little left here, though the assay office, built up against a massive square rock still stands.

From Project Gutenberg

The house in which he was born was a large yellow mansion, standing on the spot on which the Assay Office has since been built.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a good half minute before I even wondered what had brought Macartney out of his bed in the assay office.

From Project Gutenberg

He had turned so white that I remembered his faint in the assay office, like you do remember things that don't matter.

From Project Gutenberg