n. Examination; trial; attempt; essay.n. Hence Trial by danger; risk; adventure.n. Trial; tribulation; affiiction.n. The trial of the purity, weight, etc., of metals or metallic substances, as ores and alloys; any operation or experiment for ascertaining the quantity of a precious metal in an ore or a mineral, or in coin or bullion. See assaying.n. The substance to be assayed. Ure.n. In law, an examination of weights and measures by the standard. Cowell.n. Formerly, the act or custom of tasting the food or drink intended for another, as a king, before presenting it.n. Value; ascertained purity: as, “stones of rich assay,”To examine by trial; put to test or trial; try the effect or merit of: as, to assay armor.Specifically To make trial of or analyze, as an ore or metallic compound, with the view of determining the proportion of a particular metal present in it.To attempt; endeavor; essay: often with an infinitive as object.To endeavor to influence.To affect; move.To make an attempt or endeavor; try.