Definition of "quiz"

I've always heard he was a quiz, says another, or a quoz, or some such word ; but I did not know he was such a book-worm.

1796, Fanny Burney, Camilla: or, A picture of youth, by the author of Evelina, page 99

I tell you I am going to the music shop. I trust to your honour. Lord Rawson, I know, will call me a fool for trusting to the honour of a quiz.

1833, Maria Edgeworth, Moral Tales, volume 1, page 204

Where did you get that quiz of a hat? It makes you look like an old witch.

1803, Jane Austen, chapter 7, in Northanger Abbey‎, published 1816

“I’m afraid you’re a sad quiz,” said Mrs. Bungay. ¶ “Quiz! never made a joke in my—hullo! who’s here? How d’ye do, Pendennis?

1850, William Makepeace Thackeray, The History of Pendennis‎

Once all six friends are clear that the topic of Janet's story is a pub quiz, we launch into talk around this topic, combining factual information about quizzes we have participated in with fantasies about becoming a team ourselves.

1997, Jennifer Coates, “The construction of a collaborative floor in women’s friendly talk”, in Talmy Givón, editor, Conversation: Cognitive, Communicative and Social Perspectives, page 72

For many it is hard to envision a scenario where a student completes an online quiz (or test) without using their smartphone, tablet, or other device to look up the answers, or ‘share’ those answers with other students.

2015 May 18, Matt Farrell, Shannon Maheu, “Why open-book tests deserve a place in your courses”, in Faculty Focus‎

he quizzed unmercifully all the men in the room—

1850, William Makepeace Thackeray, The History of Pendennis‎

'Now, Puddock, back him up—encourage your man,' said Devereux, who took a perverse pleasure in joking; 'tell him to flay the lump, splat him, divide him, and cut him in two pieces—'It was a custom of the corps to quiz Puddock about his cookery […]

1863, Sheridan Le Fanu, The House by the Churchyard

This week members return to the chamber to quiz the government on the Zimbabwe election, teacher shortages, backlog of asylum applications and improving the system for dementia diagnosis.

2023 August 31, “What's on in the Lords 4-7 September”, in UK Parliament‎