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test¹

(tĕst)

1. A procedure for critical evaluation; a means of determining the presence, quality, or truth of something; a trial: a test of one's eyesight; subjecting a hypothesis to a test; a test of an athlete's endurance.

2. A series of questions, problems, or physical responses designed to determine knowledge, intelligence, or ability.

3. A basis for evaluation or judgment: "A test of democratic government is how Congress and the president work together" (Haynes Johnson).

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

5. A cupel.

v. test·ed, test·ing, tests

v.tr.

1. To subject to a test; try: tested the pen by scribbling on scrap paper; testing job applicants.

2. To reveal the degree of (a given quality) in someone or something by or as if by means of a test: The experiment tested the rats' ability to solve spatial problems. The long war tested the country's resolve.

a. To identify the presence or amount of one or more substances in: tested the water for lead.

b. To identify the amount of (a substance) in something: tested the nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil.

c. To ascertain the properties of: tested the steel for hardness and tensile strength.

d. To assay (metal) in a cupel.

v.intr.

1. To undergo a test.

2. To administer a test: test for acid content; test for the presence of an antibody.

3. To achieve a score or rating on tests: tested high on the entrance exams.

4. To exhibit a given characteristic when subjected to a test: test positive for the tubercle bacillus.

[Middle English, cupel, from Old French, pot, from Latin testū, testum.]

test′a·bili·ty n.

testa·ble adj.

test²

(tĕst)

A hard external covering, as that of certain amoebas, dinoflagellates, and sea urchins.

[Latintesta, shell.]

(click for a larger image)

test2

of a sea urchin

test.

abbr.

a. testator

b. testatrix

2. testimony

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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