inquartation

[ in-kwawr-tey-shuhn ]

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of inquartation¹

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

Example Sentences

The next operation in either case is parting either with or without a previous inquartation.

From Project Gutenberg