the means by which the presence, quality, or genuineness of anything is determined; a means of trial.
2.
the trial of the quality of something: to put to the test.
3.
a particular process or method for trying or assessing.
4.
a set of questions, problems, or the like, used as a means of evaluating the abilities, aptitudes, skills, or performance of an individual or group; examination.
5.
Psychology. a set of standardized questions, problems, or tasks designed to elicit responses for use in measuring the traits, capacities, or achievements of an individual.
6.
Chemistry.
a.
the process of identifying or detecting the presence of a constituent of a substance, or of determining the nature of a substance, commonly by the addition of a reagent.
b.
the reagent used.
c.
an indication or evidence of the presence of a constituent, or of the nature of a substance, obtained by such means.
7.
an oath or other confirmation of one's loyalty, religious beliefs, etc.
8.
British. a cupel for refining or assaying metals.
–verb (used with object)
9.
to subject to a test of any kind; try.
10.
Chemistry. to subject to a chemical test.
11.
Metallurgy. to assay or refine in a cupel.
–verb (used without object)
12.
to undergo a test or trial; try out.
13.
to perform on a test: People test better in a relaxed environment.
14.
to conduct a test: to test for diabetes.
[Origin: 1350–1400; ME: cupel < MF < L testū, testum earthen pot; akin to test2]
—Related forms
test·a·ble, adjective
test·a·bil·i·ty, noun
test·ing·ly, adverb
—Synonyms 1. proof, assay. See trial.9. assay, prove, examine.
bead test, test used in the identification of certain metals. Some metallic ions that cannot be identified by a flame test are identified by a bead test. The test can also be used to confirm the results of a flame test. The borax bead test is the most common. A small loop is formed at the end of a platinum wire. The loop is cleaned with concentrated hydrochloric acid and dipped in powdered borax, then heated in the flame of a Bunsen burner until the borax melts, forming a bead. The bead is dipped into a tiny amount of the compound to be tested and is reheated in the flame. The metal borate that is formed colors the bead. Some metals and the colors they produce in an oxidizing flame are: chromium, green; cobalt, blue; copper, blue-green; iron, yellow to brown; manganese, violet; nickel, reddish-brown. If too much of the unknown compound is used, the bead may be opaque and the color difficult to determine. A different color is often obtained in a reducing flame. Several metals may give the same color. Some metals give only colorless or gray beads. A test similar to the borax bead test is often made using microcosmic salt. Results of the bead test may be confirmed by other methods of chemical analysis.
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