ASSAY′

(-sā). Syn. E ai ( anc. , asaie), Fr. Prüfung , ., Ger. Literally, a ‘trial’ or examination. In chemistry , the determination, by any chemical means, of the richne of a substance in its e ential material or more valuable ingredient; more particularly applied to quantitative analyses of the commercial alkalies, bleaching-powder, oxide of manganese, ores, and other like articles that are employed on the large scale. In docimacy and metallurgy the determination of the quantity of metal in any ore, alloy, or other metallic compound, particularly in the ‘dry way,’ or by the proce of cupellation; and more especially of the quantity of pure gold, or pure silver, contained in coin, bullion, and the commercial alloys and ores of these metals. The substance a ayed*. See A aying , .