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¹test

noun \ˈtest\

Definition of TEST

a chiefly British : cupel

b (1) : a critical examination, observation, or evaluation : trial; specifically : the procedure of submitting a statement to such conditions or operations as will lead to its proof or disproof or to its acceptance or rejection <a test of a statistical hypothesis> (2) : a basis for evaluation : criterion

c : an ordeal or oath required as proof of conformity with a set of beliefs

a : a means of testing: as (1) : a procedure, reaction, or reagent used to identify or characterize a substance or constituent (2) : something (as a series of questions or exercises) for measuring the skill, knowledge, intelligence, capacities, or aptitudes of an individual or group

b : a positive result in such a test

: a result or value determined by testing

: test match

Origin of TEST

Middle English, vessel in which metals were assayed, potsherd, from Anglo-French test, tees pot, Latin testum earthen vessel; akin to Latin testa earthen pot, shell

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Education Terms

baccalaureate, colloquium, corequisite, dissertation, monograph, pedant, practicum, survey course, thesis

Rhymes with TEST

best, breast, Brest, chest, crest, gest, geste, guest, hest, jessed, jest, lest, nest, pest, quest, rest, tressed, vest, west, wrest, zest

²test

adjective

Definition of TEST

: of, relating to, or constituting a test

: subjected to, used for, or revealed by testing <a test group> <test data>

First Known Use of TEST

1687

Other Education Terms

baccalaureate, colloquium, corequisite, dissertation, monograph, pedant, practicum, survey course, thesis

³test

verb

: to use a set of questions or problems to measure someone's skills, knowledge, or abilities

: to examine a part of the body or a substance taken from the body

: to examine a small amount of water, soil, air, etc., in order to see if its quality is good, if it contains a dangerous substance, etc.

Full Definition of TEST

transitive verb

: to put to test or proof : try —often used with out

: to require a doctrinal oath of

intransitive verb

a : to undergo a test

b : to be assigned a standing or evaluation on the basis of tests <tested positive for cocaine> <the cake tested done>

: to apply a test as a means of analysis or diagnosis —used with for <test for mechanical aptitude>

— test·abil·i·ty \ˌtes-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— test·able \ˈtes-tə-bəl\ adjective

— test the waters also test the water

: to make a preliminary test or survey (as of reaction or interest) before embarking on a course of action

See test defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of TEST

1748

Related to TEST

Synonyms: sample, try (out)

⁴test

noun

Definition of TEST

: an external hard or firm covering (as a shell) of many invertebrates (as a foraminifer or a mollusk)

Origin of TEST

Latin testa shell

First Known Use: circa 1842

Test

abbreviation

Definition of TEST

Testament

Other Bible Terms

antediluvian, apocalyptic, apocrypha, behemoth

TESTS Defined for Kids

¹test

noun \ˈtest\

Definition of TEST for Kids

: a set of questions or problems by which a person's knowledge, intelligence, or skills are measured

: a means of finding out the nature, quality, or value of something <… she told me about the illness that was the true test of her bravery. — Ellen Raskin, The Westing Game>

Word History of TEST

The English word test first meant “a small bowl used in analyzing metals.” It came from a Latin word testum that meant “a bowl or pot made of clay.” The bowl called a test was used to examine things. That is why the word test came to mean “examination.”