test1

noun

• 1a procedure intended to establish the quality, performance, or reliability of something, especially before it is taken into widespread use:no sparking was visible during the tests
• a short written or spoken examination of a person’s proficiency or knowledge:a spelling test
• an event or situation that reveals the strength or quality of someone or something by putting them under strain:this is the first serious test of the peace agreement
• an examination of part of the body or a body fluid for medical purposes, especially by means of a chemical or mechanical procedure rather than simple inspection:a test for HIV eye tests
• Chemistry a procedure employed to identify a substance or to reveal the presence or absence of a constituent within a substance.
• the result of a medical examination or analytical procedure:a positive test for protein
• a means of establishing whether an action, item, or situation is an instance of a specified quality, especially one held to be undesirable:a statutory test of obscenity

• 2 Metallurgy a movable hearth in a reverberating furnace, used for separating gold or silver from lead.

verb

• take measures to check the quality, performance, or reliability of (something), especially before putting it into widespread use or practice:this range has not been tested on animals (as noun testing)the testing and developing of prototypes figurativea useful way to test out ideas before implementation
• reveal the strengths or capabilities of (someone or something) by putting them under strain:such behavior would severely test any marriage
• give (someone) a short written or oral examination of their proficiency or knowledge:all children are tested at eleven
• judge or measure (someone’s proficiency or knowledge) by means of an examination.
• carry out a medical test on (a person, a part of the body, or a body fluid).
• [no object] produce a specified result in a medical test, especially a drug test or AIDS test:he tested positive for steroids after the race
• Chemistry examine (a substance) by means of a reagent.
• touch or taste (something) to check that it is acceptable before proceeding further:she tested the water with the tip of her elbow