Essay, or Say, in metallurgy, the trial of the goodness and purity of metals. Hence, ASSAYING is the art of finding how much pure metal is contained in any ore, or the proportion of the several ingredients of any mixed metal. See Chemistry.

Assaying of weights and measures, the examining the common weights and measures by the clerk of the market.

Assaying, in music, a flourishing before one begins to play. play; or the running divisions, to lead one into the piece before us.