-test-

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

test¹ /tɛst/   n. [countable]

1. a set of problems, questions, etc., for evaluating a person's abilities, skills, or performance:
   a driver's test.
2. the means by which the quality of anything is determined:
   a test of a new product.
3. a trial of the quality of something:
   to put the new car to the test.

v. 

4. to (cause someone to) undergo a test of any kind: [~ + object]
   The school has to test you on your writing ability.
   [no object]
   The hospital wants to test for diabetes.
5. to perform on a test:
   [no object] People test better in a relaxed environment.

See -test-.
-test-, root. 

1. -test- comes from Latin, where it has the meaning "witness.'' This meaning is found in such words as: attest, contest, detest, incontestable, intestate, pretest, protest, Protestant, protestation, test, testament, testate, testify, testimonial, testimony.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

test¹  (test), n. 

1. the means by which the presence, quality, or genuineness of anything is determined;
   a means of trial.
2. the trial of the quality of something:
   to put to the test.
3. a particular process or method for trying or assessing.
4. a set of questions, problems, or the like, used as a means of evaluating the abilities, aptitudes, skills, or performance of an individual or group;
   examination.
5. Psychology a set of standardized questions, problems, or tasks designed to elicit responses for use in measuring the traits, capacities, or achievements of an individual.
6. Chemistry
   • the process of identifying or detecting the presence of a constituent of a substance, or of determining the nature of a substance, commonly by the addition of a reagent.
   • the reagent used.
   • an indication or evidence of the presence of a constituent, or of the nature of a substance, obtained by such means.
7. an oath or other confirmation of one's loyalty, religious beliefs, etc.
8. British Terms a cupel for refining or assaying metals.

v.t. 

9. to subject to a test of any kind;
   try.
10. Chemistry to subject to a chemical test.
11. Metallurgy to assay or refine in a cupel.

v.i. 

12. to undergo a test or trial;
    try out.
13. to perform on a test:
    People test better in a relaxed environment.
14. to conduct a test:
    to test for diabetes.

• Latin testū, testum earthen pot; akin to test²
• Middle French
• Middle English: cupel 1350–1400

test′a•ble, adj. 
test′a•bil′i•ty, n. 
test′ing•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. proof, assay. See trial. 
• 9. assay, prove, examine.

test²  (test), n. 

1. Zoology the hard, protective shell or covering of certain invertebrates, as echinoderms or tunicates.
2. Botany testa.

• Latin testa tile, shell, covering; akin to test¹
• 1535–45

Test., 

1. Bible Testament.

test., 

1. Law testator.
2. Law testimony.