# test

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test/52876>\
**Category:** About This Message Board\
**Created:** [February 2, 2001, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test/52876 "2001-02-02T15:56:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 9\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Bill\_H](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a5b964/32.png) [@Bill\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_H)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2001, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test/52876/1 "2001-02-02T15:56:26Z")

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test

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**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2001, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test/52876/2 "2001-02-02T16:59:55Z")

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**test** _noun_

1. A procedure for critical evaluation; a means of determining the presence, quality, or truth of something; a trial: _a test of one’s eyesight; subjecting a hypothesis to a test; a test of an athlete’s endurance._
2. A series of questions, problems, or physical responses designed to determine knowledge, intelligence, or ability.
3. A basis for evaluation or judgment: _“A test of democratic government is how Congress and the president work together”_ (Haynes Johnson).
4. _Chemistry_. (a). A physical or chemical change by which a substance may be detected or its properties ascertained. (b). A reagent used to cause or promote such a change. ©. A positive result obtained.  
5.A cupel.

**test** _verb_  
**test·ed, test·ing, tests**  
_verb, transitive_

1.To subject to a test; try: _tested the pen by scribbling on scrap paper; testing each mango for ripeness by pressing and smelling it; testing job applicants._  
2. (a). To determine the presence or properties of (a substance). (b). To assay (metal) in a cupel.

_verb, intransitive_

1. To undergo a test.
2. To administer a test: _test for acid content; test for the presence of an antibody._
3. To achieve a score or rating on tests: _took the entrance examinations and tested high._
4. To exhibit a given characteristic when subjected to a test: _test positive for the tubercle bacillus._  
[Middle English, cupel, from Old French, pot, from Latin _testu, testum_.]

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**Author:** ![Cantrip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Cantrip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cantrip)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2001, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test/52876/3 "2001-02-02T18:51:50Z")

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Slow day, eh, **UncleBeer**?

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**Author:** ![Bill\_H](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a5b964/32.png) [@Bill\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_H)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2001, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test/52876/4 "2001-02-02T21:41:06Z")

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Thank you, **Uncle Beer** for correctly interpreting my OP, which should’ve read:

> [@](#):
>
> test?

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**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\
**Post date:** [February 3, 2001, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test/52876/5 "2001-02-03T17:52:18Z")

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Slow day? Naw. New dictionary.

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**Author:** ![Bluish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cc9497/32.png) [@Bluish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bluish)\
**Post date:** [February 3, 2001, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test/52876/6 "2001-02-03T20:33:30Z")

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A test?

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**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\
**Post date:** [February 4, 2001, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test/52876/7 "2001-02-04T12:56:47Z")

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checking sumpin

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**Author:** ![Bawdysurfer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/90db22/32.png) [@Bawdysurfer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bawdysurfer)\
**Post date:** [February 4, 2001, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test/52876/8 "2001-02-04T13:17:32Z")

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.- -. -.-- — -. . …–…

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**Author:** ![Bawdysurfer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/90db22/32.png) [@Bawdysurfer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bawdysurfer)\
**Post date:** [February 4, 2001, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test/52876/9 "2001-02-04T13:23:56Z")

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Now those are difficult to differentiate.