a set of problems, questions, etc., for evaluating a person's abilities, skills, or performance:a driver's test.
the means by which the quality of anything is determined:a test of a new product.
a trial of the quality of something:to put the new car to the test.
v.
to (cause someone to) undergo a test of any kind: [~ + object]The school has to test you on your writing ability.[no object]The hospital wants to test for diabetes.
to perform on a test:[no object]People test better in a relaxed environment.
-test- comes from Latin, where it has the meaning "witness.'' This meaning is found in such words as: attest, contest, detest, incontestable, intestate, pretest, protest, Protestant, protestation, test, testament, testate, testify, testimonial, testimony.
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.
Psychologya 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 Termsa cupel for refining or assaying metals.
v.t.
to subject to a test of any kind; try.
Chemistryto subject to a chemical test.
Metallurgyto assay or refine in a cupel.
v.i.
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.
Latin testū, testum earthen pot; akin to test2
Middle French
Middle English: cupel 1350–1400
test′a•ble, adj. test′a•bil′i•ty, n. test′ing•ly, adv.
1. proof, assay. See trial.9. assay, prove, examine.
test2(test),USA pronunciationn.
Zoologythe hard, protective shell or covering of certain invertebrates, as echinoderms or tunicates.
to ascertain (the worth, capability, or endurance) of (a person or thing) by subjection to certain examinations; try
(often followed 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 property: to test food for arsenic, to test for magnetization
(intransitive) to achieve a specified result in a test: a quarter of the patients at the clinic tested positive for the AIDS virus
(transitive) to put under severe strain: the long delay tested my patience
n
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 knowledge
a standard of judgment; criterion
a chemical reaction or physical procedure for testing a substance, material, etc
a chemical reagent used in such a procedure
the result of the procedure or the evidence gained from it