1 - A challenge, trial.
2 - A cupel or cupelling hearth in which precious metals are melted for trial and refinement.
3 - (academia) An examination, given often during the academic term.
1 - To challenge.
2 - To refine (gold, silver, etc.) in a test or cupel; to subject to cupellation.
3 - To put to the proof; to prove the truth, genuineness, or quality of by experiment, or by some principle or standard; to try.