inquartation

[in-kwawr-tey-shuh n]

noun

(in assaying) the addition of silver to a gold-silver alloy in order to facilitate the parting of the gold by nitric acid.

Origin of inquartation

1880–85; perhaps < French inquartation. See in-², quarter, -ation

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018