test

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, vessel in which metals were assayed, potsherd, from Anglo-French test, tees pot, Latin testum earthen vessel; akin to Latin testa earthen pot, shell Date: 14th century 1. a. chiefly British cupel b. (1) a critical examination, observation, or evaluation ; trial; specifically the procedure of submitting a statement to such conditions or operations as will lead to its proof or disproof or to its acceptance or rejection <

a test of a statistical hypothesis

> (2) a basis for evaluation ; criterion c. an ordeal or oath required as proof of conformity with a set of beliefs 2. a. a means of testing: as (1) a procedure, reaction, or reagent used to identify or characterize a substance or constituent (2) something (as a series of questions or exercises) for measuring the skill, knowledge, intelligence, capacities, or aptitudes of an individual or group b. a positive result in such a test 3. a result or value determined by testing 4. test match II. adjective Date: 1687 1. of, relating to, or constituting a test 2. subjected to, used for, or revealed by testing <

a test group

> <

test data

> III. verb Date: 1748 transitive verb 1. to put to test or proof ; try — often used with out 2. to require a doctrinal oath of intransitive verb 1. a. to undergo a test b. to be assigned a standing or evaluation on the basis of tests <

tested positive for cocaine

> <

the cake tested done

> 2. to apply a test as a means of analysis or diagnosis — used with for <

test for mechanical aptitude

> • testability noun • testable adjective IV. noun Etymology: Latin testa shell Date: circa 1842 an external hard or firm covering (as a shell) of many invertebrates (as a foraminifer or a mollusk)