Assay

(ās-sā'.) (Fr. e ayer, to try.] (Metal.) A chemical operation which is made to ascertain the quantity of metal contained in ores, or to discover the value or purity of any ma of gold, silver, or other metal. This mode of examination differs from analysis, in being principally concerned about only one of the ingredients in the ore or alloy, whereas the object of the latter is to ascertain the quantity and proportion of every substance in the ma to which it is applied.-The As say office is the department of the National Mint in which the manipulations attending the a ay of bullion and coins are conducted. [s. 53]