trade testn.
/ˈtreɪd tɛst/, U.S. /ˈtreɪd ˌtɛst/ 1. A test (of a product, a material, etc.) used in a particular trade or occupation. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > trial, test, or testing > [noun] > specific tests or testing > test of materials or equipment > preliminary testing of equipment, etc.
trade test1851
bench test1887
bench-testing1888
playtest1947
1851 Freeman's Jrnl. (Dublin) 25 July A gentleman bought some articles of wearing apparel.., but..on subjecting them to the ordinary trade test of ‘snapping’, the cloth at once tore up.
1883 B. D. Jackson tr. K. W. van Gorkom Handbk. Cinchona Culture xxii. 243 The dividing into hard and soft barks is nothing more than a trade test.
1992 Camera & Darkroom Feb. 52/2 A trade test allows us to look at the paper's performance through customers' systems.
2. A test of a person's proficiency in a particular trade or occupation.
ΘΚΠ
society > education > educational administration > examination > [noun] > other examinations
recitation1770
screw1810
term paper1873
trade test1880
City and Guilds1882
entry exam1886
inter1891
pop quiz1931
1880 Glasgow Herald 28 June 4/8 Simplification of the trade test for stranger workmen, and slight reduction of their entry-money.
1921 Boys' Life Oct. 34/4 The ability of a boy to perform a certain piece of work is now measured by the ‘trade test’ and the ‘educational test’.
1958 Kenya Gaz. 8 July 707/2 The preparation and supervision of trade tests in the building trade.
2000 Plumbing Mag. May 14/2 We watched a number of students carry out their trade tests.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2015; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1851