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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Assay, v. Also: assa, assey, assy. [ME. asaye, assaye (14th c.), OF. as-, assayer, assaier.]

1. tr. To put to trial or proof; to try, test, have experience of.1375 Barb. i. 237 (he may nocht knaw weill the propyrte … bot gyff he had assayit it); 448 (thai assayit full gret hardynes). a1400 Leg. S. iii. 1051 (quhare in we ma assay his wit); xiv. 84 (on that day quhene God our dedis sal assa). c1420 Wynt. iii. 419 (that the thryd tyme scho assayid); v. 4308 (the storyis quha that will assay). 1456 Hay I. 170/35 (till assay his vertu of pacience in his adversitee); II. 163/37 (till assay thame with giftis). c1475 Wall. iv. 233 (wicht men assayede a loklate bar). c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxxiii. 26 (in Scotland he come, his cunnyng till assay). 1513 Doug. ii. xi. 117 (wilful al aventuris to assay); iii. i. 59 (the causys to assay of this mater). 1538 Lynd. Justing 2 (twa campionis thare manheid did assay). 1560 Rolland Seven S. Prol. 146 (my pen for till assay). 1570 Leslie 218 (to assey the winning of the toun be a strategem).

b. With clause as object: To try to ascertain.1375 Barb. vii. 401 (for till assay quhat gammyn wes in that cuntre); ix. 353 (he gert assay quhar of the dik the schawdest was); 477 (he valde assay gif he recouer mycht that land). a1400 Leg. S. xxxvi. 706 (til assay quhilk mare suld be honourit). c1420 Wynt. vi. 999 (hys promotowre oft hym assayid, how off hys state he held hym payid). a1500 Henr. Fab. 2008 (I did bot till assay quhat ȝe wald say). 1513 Doug. i. Prol. 94 (only to assay quhow it mycht be). 15.. Clar. v. 2313 (to assay quhilk of them two vinqueis the other may). 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 59 (to assy gif thair ladderis wer lang aneuch).

c. To try by tasting; to partake of.a1400 Leg. S. vi. 81 (he mete & drink vald nocht assay). c1420 Wynt. iv. 485 (thai ete and drank off the wytayle that was assayid). c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxxiii. 43 (quha evir assay wald, thair hippis ȝeid hiddy giddy).

d. To test with reference to a standard; esp. to assay (metal). 1453 Exch. R. V. 557.
vij assais of gold … to be kepit quhil the king wil ger assay the said assais 1507 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 437.
That the mettis and mesouris be assait throw the haile toun 1576–7 Reg. Privy C. II. 600.
For thair panis of assaying and passing the samyn [cunyeit gold] 1629 M. Works Acc. XXIV. 3 b.
For sex laid of coilles to assay the wirking of the Craig

2. a. To attempt or endeavour to do something.1375 Barb. x. 146 (that men assayit castellis and pelis for till ta). a1400 Leg. S. xl. 313 (ofte wald he assay with that maydine for to play). ?1438 Alex. i. 1384 (he wald assay to skaill them). c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 130 (ladyes to dance full sobirly assayit). 1533 Bell. Livy I. 2/8 (to tell I will assay how … ). a1578 Pitsc. II. 315/6 (eftir the said man had assayit to hang him selff).

b. absol. To make an attempt; to try.c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 226 (thought all hys lyftyme he assaye). c1475 Wall. viii. 529 (thai at the wallys assayed xv dayis). 15.. Clar. iv. 2131 (that I sould go assay, quhair they haue failȝeit). a1605 Montg. Son. xlii. 12 (I shape the soner to assay; Assay I sall).

3. To try the strength or mettle of (one) in combat; to attack, assault, assail. Also absol.1375 Barb. ii. 264 (he has mony a gud man, that sall be hard for till assay); 296 (sum man will trymbill, quhen he assayit is sodanly). c1420 Wynt. v. 2752 (quhen in batalle thai displayit thare banerys, and thare fays assait). c1475 Wall. x. 204 (Byschop Beik quhilk oft had been assayd). c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 144 (a wonder lusty bikkir me assayit). 1513 Doug. x. xii. 65 (the huntmen the beste assayis with felloun schowtis). 1535 Stewart 56051 (gif that the Scottis wald the hous assay). 1549 Treas. Acc. IX. 311 (the Inglischemen wes cumand to assay the said fort). —a1605 Montg. Misc. P. xli. 55 (syn gromis that gay is with suordis assayis).