assay
gb/ˈæsi/ us/ˈæsi/
C1
English
~ 9300
vizsgálat, teszt, megvizsgál, elemez, megkísérel, megpróbál, kísérlet, próbálkozás
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
1
Usage pattern:
an assay of [something]
The blood assay revealed unusually high levels of the drug.
A vérvizsgálat szokatlanul magas gyógyszerszintet mutatott ki.
Each assay must be repeated three times to confirm the results.
Az eredmények megerősítéséhez minden vizsgálatot háromszor meg kell ismételni.
The laboratory developed a new assay for early detection of the virus.
An independent assay of the sample confirmed that it contained no contaminants.
Regulators require a validated assay before the medication can be approved.
Learner examples
The doctor ordered an assay of my blood sample.
Az orvos vérmintám vizsgálatát rendelte el.
Scientists used a special assay to find the virus.
A tudósok egy speciális vizsgálatot használtak a vírus kimutatására.
The lab sent us the assay results the next day.
They ran an assay of the water to check for chemicals.
This new assay is faster and cheaper than the old one.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "assay" with the more common word "essay" (a short piece of writing) or "assess" (to judge or evaluate). In science and medicine, "assay" specifically refers to a test of a substance, not written work or general evaluation.
Meaning
scientific test of a substance
Collocations
blood assay
|drug assay
|DNA assay
|perform an assay
|assay results
|laboratory assay
Synonyms
test (More general and common; may be less specifically scientific or chemical.)
|
analysis (Emphasizes detailed examination; not always limited to laboratory or chemical work.)
Antonyms
assumption (An opposite approach: accepting something without testing it.)
Themes
science
|medicine
|technology
|health
Definition
A scientific test that checks what is in a substance and how strong or pure it is.
A laboratory test carried out on a material or biological sample to determine its components, strength, or overall quality.
VERB
C2
TECHNICAL
2
megvizsgál
B1
elemez
B2
Usage pattern:
to assay [something] (for [component])
The lab will assay the water samples for traces of heavy metals.
A labor megvizsgálja a vízmintákat, hogy kimutassa bennük a nehézfémek nyomait.
Researchers assayed the cells to measure changes in enzyme activity.
A kutatók megvizsgálták a sejteket, hogy mérjék az enzimaktivitás változásait.
Before refining the ore, the company assayed it to estimate the gold content.
They assayed the vaccine batches to confirm the correct dosage.
Each batch of the compound was assayed independently by a third-party laboratory.
Learner examples
The scientist will assay the blood today.
A tudós ma megvizsgálja a vért.
They assayed the soil to see if it was safe.
Megvizsgálták a talajt, hogy biztonságos-e.
We must assay each sample before we use it.
The team assayed the drug for quality.
Engineers assayed the metal for impurities.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "assay" instead of the more common verb "test" in everyday speech. Outside scientific or technical writing, "test" is usually the better choice. "Assay" as a verb is mainly used in formal or technical contexts such as laboratories, mining, and pharmaceuticals.
Meaning
to test a substance scientifically
Collocations
assay a sample
|assay the blood
|assay for impurities
|assay enzyme activity
|assay the concentration
|assay conditions
Synonyms
test (More general and frequent; may not imply a detailed laboratory procedure.)
|
analyze (Focuses on examining data or material in detail; can be broader than laboratory work.)
Antonyms
ignore (To not examine or check something at all, which contrasts with carefully assaying it.)
Themes
science
|medicine
|technology
|health
Definition
To test a substance in a scientific way to see what is in it and how strong or pure it is.
To perform a scientific or chemical test on a material or biological sample to determine its components, strength, or overall quality.
VERB
C2
LITERARY
3
megkísérel
C1
megpróbál
B1
Usage pattern:
to assay [to do something]
He assayed a joke to lighten the tense atmosphere, but no one laughed.
Megpróbált viccelődni, hogy oldja a feszült hangulatot, de senki sem nevetett.
She assayed to stand, though her legs still trembled from exhaustion.
Megpróbált felállni, bár a lába még mindig remegett a kimerültségtől.
The writer assayed a new style, abandoning the strict realism of his earlier work.
They assayed to cross the river before nightfall, knowing the risk.
I assayed a smile, hoping to hide my disappointment.
Learner examples
He assayed to speak, but his voice was weak.
Megpróbált megszólalni, de gyenge volt a hangja.
She assayed a smile, though she felt sad.
Megpróbált elmosolyodni, bár szomorú volt.
They assayed to climb the high mountain.
The king assayed to calm the angry crowd.
The boy assayed to lift the heavy stone.
Common mistake:
Learners may think this meaning is common because it looks like "essay" or because they see it in older texts. In modern English, people almost always use "try" or "attempt" instead of "assay" for this sense. Using "assay" this way in normal speech or writing sounds old-fashioned or literary.
Meaning
to attempt or try (literary)
Collocations
assay a smile
|assay a reply
|assay to climb
|assay to speak
|assay the task
Synonyms
attempt (Normal modern word; neutral in style and much more common.)
|
endeavor (Formal but still current; less archaic than "assay" in this sense.)
Antonyms
give up (To stop trying, which is the opposite of making an attempt.)
Themes
literature
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To try to do something, in a very formal or old style of English.
To make an attempt to do something, especially something difficult or uncertain; used mainly in literary or old-fashioned English.
NOUN
C2
LITERARY
4
kísérlet
B2
próbálkozás
B2
Usage pattern:
an assay at [something]
His first assay at political compromise ended in failure.
Az első kísérlete a politikai kompromisszumra kudarccal végződött.
The poem was an early assay at the epic form.
A vers korai kísérlet volt az epikus formában.
Their brief assay at peace quickly collapsed into renewed fighting.
Learner examples
The plan was only an early assay at change.
A terv csak korai kísérlet volt a változtatásra.
Her first assay at writing a novel was not perfect.
Az első kísérlete egy regény megírására nem volt tökéletes.
His assay at humor made everyone feel awkward.
Common mistake:
This noun meaning is rare and literary. In modern English, people say "attempt" or "try" instead of "assay". Learners should avoid this sense in normal conversation and writing.
Meaning
an attempt (literary)
Collocations
an assay at peace
|an assay at humor
|a first assay
|a bold assay
|an assay at escape
Synonyms
attempt (Neutral and much more common in modern English.)
Antonyms
refusal (Not even trying or agreeing to act contrasts with making an attempt.)
Themes
literature
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
An act of trying to do something, in a very formal or old style of English.
An attempt to do something, especially something challenging or uncertain; used mainly in literary or old-fashioned English.
Grammar
Dictionary form
assay
IPA
GB/ˈæsi/
US/ˈæsi/
Syllables & stress
as - say (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (as)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: assay
- Plural: assay, assays
Verb
- Base: assay
- 3rd Person Singular: assays
- Present Participle: assaying
- Past: assayed
Word family
Forms
assays
noun
assaying
verb
assayed
verb
Core family
assayer
noun
Advanced or less common
assayable
adjective
bioassay
noun
immunoassay
noun
Expressions
assay office
1/ˈæsi ˈɔfɪs/
fixed phrase
technical
official office that tests precious metals
An official office where gold, silver, or other precious metals are tested to see how pure they are, often so they can be officially marked or valued.
Examples
- The gold bars were taken to the assay office to be tested and stamped.
- Historically, every major mining town had an assay office near the main street.
- According to the mark from the assay office, the silver is 92.5 percent pure.