test

[test]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR test ON THESAURUS.COM

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

Related formstest·a·ble, adjectivetest·a·bil·i·ty, nountest·ing·ly, adverbnon·test·a·ble, adjectivenon·test·ing, adjectiveself-test·ing, adjectiveun·test·a·ble, adjectiveun·test·ed, adjectivewell-test·ed, adjective

Synonyms for test

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR test ON THESAURUS.COM

1. proof, assay. 9. assay, prove, examine.

Synonym study

1. See trial.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for testing

test, trial, examination, measurement, verification, questioning, experimentation, proof, examining, experimenting

Examples from the Web for testing

Contemporary Examples of testing

Testing methods can now detect HIV within ten days of infection.
The Outrageous Celibacy Requirement for Gay Blood Donors
Jay Michaelson
November 22, 2014
Discarding the idea of testing the waters with a provocative contribution, I just asked what they would do.
Blurred Lines at NY Sketchbook Museum
Daniel Genis
November 1, 2014
With few protective barriers in place, their safety relies heavily on testing protocols and trusting their partners.
Risky Business or None of Your Business? Gay XXX Films and the Condom Question
Aurora Snow
November 1, 2014
Thankfully, testing performers for STDs is mandatory—or so we thought.
Risky Business or None of Your Business? Gay XXX Films and the Condom Question
Aurora Snow
November 1, 2014
SpaceShipTwo was testing a new plastic-based rocket fuel for the first time Friday.
SpaceShipTwo Flew on Untested Rocket
Dave Majumdar, Clive Irving
October 31, 2014

Historical Examples of testing

I am speaking for the moment only of the degree to which the testing comes.
The Conquest of Fear
Basil King
Each workshop and testing room is devoted to a particular purpose.
Heroes of the Telegraph
J. Munro
"We've wasted weeks testing every man on this field," said Dr. Shalt solemnly.
The Second Voice
Mann Rubin
It's the devil and all that I never thought of testing it myself in wet weather.
The Great Hunger
Johan Bojer
Two Arrows did not know that he was testing his quality as a warrior and chief to be.
Two Arrows
William O. Stoddard

British Dictionary definitions for testing

test

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 propertyto test food for arsenic; to test for magnetization

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

(tr) to put under severe strainthe 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 knowledgean 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 testtest drive; test flight

Derived Formstestable, adjectivetestability, nountesting, adjective

Word Origin for test

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

test

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for testing

test

late 14c., "small vessel used in assaying precious metals," from Old French test, from Latin testum "earthen pot," related to testa "piece of burned clay, earthen pot, shell" (cf. Latin testudo "tortoise") and texere "to weave" (cf. Lithuanian tistas "vessel made of willow twigs;" see texture (n.)).

Sense of "trial or examination to determine the correctness of something" is recorded from 1590s. The connecting notion is "ascertaining the quality of a metal by melting it in a pot." Test Act was the name given to various laws in English history meant to exclude Catholics and Nonconformists from office, especially that of 1673, repealed 1828. Test drive (v.) is first recorded 1954.

test

1748, "to examine the correctness of," from test (n.). Related: Tested; testing.

testing in Medicine

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 testing

test

see acid test; put to the test.