Environmental Testing

noun a test or analysis to determine the composition or quality of a substance

verb to analyze or examine something in order to determine its quality or nature

• The scientist conducted an assay to determine the concentration of the compound in the sample.
• The lab tech ran an assay to check the levels of the drug in the blood sample.
• I heard they're doing an assay on that new supplement to see if it actually works.
• She performed a mental assay of her feelings before making a decision.

noun a utensil consisting of a wire or plastic mesh held in a frame, used for straining solids from liquids, for separating coarser from finer particles, or for reducing soft solids to a pulp.

verb to put (a food substance or other material) through a sieve.

• The baker used a sieve to sift the flour before mixing it with other ingredients.
• Can you pass me that sieve so I can strain the pasta?
• I need to sieve out the lumps in this gravy before serving it.
• She had to sieve through all the resumes to find the perfect candidate for the job.