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quiz

   Also found in: Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.01 sec.
quiz  (kwz)
tr.v. quizzed, quiz·zing, quiz·zes
1. To question closely or repeatedly; interrogate.
2. To test the knowledge of by posing questions. See Synonyms at ask.
3. Chiefly British To poke fun at; mock.
n. pl. quiz·zes
1. A questioning or an inquiry.
2. A short oral or written test.
3. A practical joke.

[Origin unknown.]

quizzer n.
Word History: The origins of the word quiz are as difficult to pin down as the answers to some quizzes. We can say that its first recorded sense has to do with people, not tests. The term, first recorded in 1782, meant "an odd or eccentric person." From the noun in this sense came a verb meaning "to make sport or fun of" and "to regard mockingly." In English dialects and probably in American English the verb quiz acquired senses relating to interrogation and questioning. This presumably occurred because quiz was associated with question, inquisitive, or perhaps the English dialect verb quiset, "to question" (probably itself short for obsolete inquisite, "to investigate"). From this new area of meaning came the noun and verb senses all too familiar to students. The second recorded instance of the noun sense occurs in the writings of no less an educator than William James, who in a December 26, 1867, letter proffers the hope that "perhaps giving 'quizzes' in anatomy and physiology . . . may help along."

quiz
Noun
pl quizzes
1. an entertainment in which the knowledge of the players is tested by a series of questions
2. any set of quick questions designed to test knowledge
3. an investigation by close questioning
Verb
[quizzing, quizzed]
to investigate by close questioning; interrogate [origin unknown]
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.quizquiz - an examination consisting of a few short questions
exam, examination, test - a set of questions or exercises evaluating skill or knowledge; "when the test was stolen the professor had to make a new set of questions"
pop quiz - a quiz given without prior warning
Verb1.quiz - examine someone's knowledge of something; "The teacher tests us every week"; "We got quizzed on French irregular verbs"
test - undergo a test; "She doesn't test well"
examine - question closely

quiz
verb 2. question, ask, interrogate, examine, investigate, pump (informal) grill (informal) catechize
Translations
Spanish quiz [kwɪz] n (= game) → concurso: (TV, RADIO) → programa-concurso (= questioning); interrogatorio
vtinterrogar

French quiz [kwɪz] n (on TV) → jeu-concours m (télévisé);
(in magazine etc) → test m de connaissances
vtinterroger

German quiz [kwɪz] n (game) → Quiz nt
vt (question) → befragen

Italian quiz [kwɪz] n (game) → quiz m inv; indovinello

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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
Miss Thorpe, however, being four years older than Miss Morland, and at least four years better informed, had a very decided advantage in discussing such points; she could compare the balls of Bath with those of Tunbridge, its fashions with the fashions of London; could rectify the opinions of her new friend in many articles of tasteful attire; could discover a flirtation between any gentleman and lady who only smiled on each other; and point out a quiz through the thickness of a crowd.
"Damn the shillings and halfpence, sir," he added, as the lawyer was making out the amount of the draft; and, flattering himself that by this stroke of magnanimity he had put the old quiz to the blush, he stalked out of the office with the paper in his pocket.
But I will quiz you with a great deal of pleasure, if you will tell me what about.
 
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