test

pronunciation

How to pronounce test in British English: UK [test]word uk audio image

How to pronounce test in American English: US [test] word us audio image

  • Noun:
    any standardized procedure for measuring sensitivity or memory or intelligence or aptitude or personality etc
    the act of testing something
    the act of undergoing testing
    trying something to find out about it
    a set of questions or exercises evaluating skill or knowledge
    a hard outer covering as of some amoebas and sea urchins
  • Verb:
    put to the test, as for its quality, or give experimental use to
    test or examine for the presence of disease or infection
    examine someone's knowledge of something
    show a certain characteristic when tested
    achieve a certain score or rating on a test
    determine the presence or properties of (a substance)
    undergo a test

Word Origin

test
test: [14] Latin testum denoted an ‘earthenware pot’. English acquired it via Old French test, and used it originally for a ‘pot in which metals are subjected to heat’. Among the purposes these tests were put to was assaying, to ascertain the quality of metal, and by the 16th century the word was being used metaphorically for an ‘examination of properties or qualities’. English testy and French tête ‘head’ are close relatives.=> testy
test (n.)
late 14c., "small vessel used in assaying precious metals," from Old French test, from Latin testum "earthen pot," related to testa "piece of burned clay, earthen pot, shell" (see tete). Sense of "trial or examination to determine the correctness of something" is recorded from 1590s. The connecting notion is "ascertaining the quality of a metal by melting it in a pot." Test Act was the name given to various laws in English history meant to exclude Catholics and Nonconformists from office, especially that of 1673, repealed 1828. Test drive (v.) is first recorded 1954.
test (v.)
1748, "to examine the correctness of," from test (n.), on the notion of "put to the proof." Earlier "assay gold or silver" in a test (c. 1600). Meaning "to administer a test" is from 1939; sense of "undergo a test" is from 1934. Related: Tested; testing.

Example

1. Could a breath test detect cancer ?
2. The real test comes next .
3. Lithium is a test case .
4. I passed college english test band 4 .
5. The problem is how to test it scientifically .

more: >How to Use "test" with Example Sentences