4. To subject, as an ore, alloy, or other metallic compound, to chemical or metallurgical examination, in order to determine the amount of a particular metal contained in it, or to ascertain its composition.
As*say", v. i. To attempt, try, or endeavor. [Archaic. In this sense essay is now commonly used.]
She thrice assayed to speak.
Dryden.
As*say"a*ble (&?;), a. That may be assayed.
As*say"er, n. One who assays. Specifically: One who examines metallic ores or compounds, for the purpose of determining the amount of any particular metal in the same, especially of gold or silver.
As*say"ing, n. The act or process of testing, esp. of analyzing or examining metals and ores, to determine the proportion of pure metal.
||Asse (&?;), n. (Zoöl.) A small foxlike animal (Vulpes cama) of South Africa, valued for its fur.
As`se*cu*ra"tion (&?;), n. [LL. assecuratio, fr. assecurare.] Assurance; certainty. [Obs.]
As`se*cure" (&?;), v. t. [LL. assecurare.] To make sure or safe; to assure. [Obs.] Hooker.
As`se*cu"tion (&?;), n. [F. assécution, fr. L. assequi to obtain; ad + sequi to follow.] An obtaining or acquiring. [Obs.] Ayliffe.
As"se*gai (&?;), n. Same as Assagai.
As*sem"blage, n. [Cf. F. assemblage. See Assemble.] 1. The act of assembling, or the state of being assembled; association.
In sweet assemblage every blooming grace.
Fenton.
2. A collection of individuals, or of individuals, or of particular things; as, a political assemblage; an assemblage of ideas.
Syn. -- Company; group; collection; concourse; gathering; meeting; convention. Assemblage, Assembly. An assembly consists only of persons; an assemblage may be composed of things as well as persons, as, an assemblage of incoherent objects. Nor is every assemblage of persons an assembly; since the latter term denotes a body who have met, and are acting, in concert for some common end, such as to hear, to deliberate, to unite in music, dancing, etc. An assemblage of skaters on a lake, or of horse jockeys at a race course, is not an assembly, but might be turned into one by collecting into a body with a view to discuss and decide as to some object of common interest.
As*sem"blance, n. [Cf. OF. assemblance.] 1. Resemblance; likeness; appearance. [Obs.]
Care I for the . . . stature, bulk, and big assemblance of a man? Give me the spirit.
Shak.