See assay in Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus II
noun
A procedure that ascertains effectiveness, value, proper function, or other quality:
essay, proof, test, trial, tryout. See investigate- (Archaic)
A trying to do or make something:
attempt, crack, effort, endeavor, essay, go, offer, stab, trial, try. (Informal) shot. (Slang) take. See try
verb
To subject to a procedure that ascertains effectiveness, value, proper function, or other quality:
check, essay, examine, prove, test, try, try out. Idioms: bring to the test, make trial of, put to the proof (or test). See investigateTo make a judgment as to the worth or value of:
appraise, assess, calculate, estimate, evaluate, gauge, judge, rate1, size up, valuate, value. Idiom: take the measure of. See valueTo make an attempt to do or make:
attempt, endeavor, essay, seek, strive, try. Idioms: have a go at, have (or make) (or take) a shot at, have (or take) a whack at, make a stab at, take a crack at. See try
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