Etymology Map
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Test

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a procedure to check quality or knowledge

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

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

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.