Assay

Dictionary: 
Black's Law Dictionary: 2nd Edition

The proof or trial, by chemical experiments, of the purity or fineness of metals,—particularly of the precious metals, gold and silver. A trial of weights and measures by a standard; as by the constituted authorities, clerks of markets, etc. Reg. Orig. 280. A trial or/examination of certain commodities, as bread, cloths, etc. Cowell; Blount.
—Assay office. The staff of persons by whom (or the building in which) the process of assaying gold and silver, required by government, incidental to maintaining the coinage, is conducted.

Author: 
Henry Campbell Black, M.A.
Publisher: 
West Publishing Company
Year Published: 
1910
Genre: 
Law Dictionary