vbl. sb. [f. ASSAY v. + -ING1.]
1. The action of trying or proving; trial.
c. 1375. Wyclif, Serm., xvi. Sel. Wks. 1871, II. 271. Assaiyng of a þing shulde teche for to know þat þing.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XVII. liii. (1495), 634. Knowlege and assayeng of wyne.
1580. Baret, Alv., A 618. A proofe: a trying: an assaying, Tentamen.
2. spec. The trial of metals.
1727–51. Chambers, Cycl., Assaying is more particularly used by moneyers and goldsmiths.
1740. Mrs. Delany, Autobiog. (1861), II. 82. Then to the Tower and Mint—the assaying of the gold and silver is very curious.
1838. Hallam, Hist. Lit., I. I. ix. § 23. The chemical part of metallurgy, and especially what relates to assaying, is treated with great care.
b. attrib.
1800. Henry, Epit. Chem. (1808), 374. An assaying furnace.
1828. Carlyle, Misc. (1857), I. 173. It passed smoothly through the critical Assaying-house.
† 3. Mus. A preliminary flourish; ‘tuning up.’ Obs.
1693. W. Robertson, Phraseol. Gen., 154. An Assaying or flourishing with a weapon before one begin to play.
1706. Phillips, Assaying, a Term us’d by Musicians for a Flourish before they begin to Play.
