Examens

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A formal assessment or test to evaluate knowledge or skills in a particular subject; a thorough examination or inspection of something; the act of reviewing or analyzing details carefully
2. An official evaluation process aimed at measuring proficiency or understanding in academic or professional contexts; a detailed investigation or scrutiny of facts or conditions; the procedure of conducting a detailed inquiry or study
3. A systematic test or appraisal designed to judge competence or learning; a comprehensive inquiry or exploration into a subject or object; the action of critically inspecting or analyzing components or data

Etymology: "Examens" is the plural of "examen", a noun meaning a formal test of skill or knowledge. The singular comes from Latin "exāmen", which originally meant the tongue or pointer of a balance, the needle that shows whether the two pans are level. That physical sense makes sense once you know the Latin verb behind it, "exigere", which meant to weigh accurately, as if testing the exact weight of something on a scale. From that image of weighing and checking came the broader sense of close scrutiny, and eventually the modern idea of an examination in which a candidate's knowledge is weighed. The word is therefore a case where a term for a piece of scales-equipment turned into a word for judging a person's ability, and the plural "examens" simply follows the Latin-derived pattern for this noun.

Synonyms: examinations, tests, assessments, evaluations, quizzes

Antonyms: certificates, degrees