test

Where does the word "test" come from? It comes from Latin testum, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Test’s story begins in Latin: testum meant “earthen pot.” A clay vessel for assaying metals. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as test. Gold was tested in such a pot. It reached English by 1300s as test. The sense 'examination' dates from the 1590s. Today, test means a procedure to check quality or knowledge.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient testum "earthen pot", a clay vessel for assaying metals.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval test "pot for assaying", gold was tested in such a pot.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s test "assaying pot", the sense 'examination' dates from the 1590s.