Where does “nose test” come from?

nose test (English) comes from English Test, from German testen, from German Test, from English test, from Middle English teste, from Old French teste, from Latin testis, from Latin terstis — to stand.

nose test (English): An inspection of the nasal passages or a trial of their function, as for breathing difficulties or olfactory ability

Definitions

  1. An inspection of the nasal passages or a trial of their function, as for breathing difficulties or olfactory ability

Ancestry of “nose test”, step by step

nose test traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English Test

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishTesta Test match
2Germantestento test
3GermanTesttest; melting pot
4EnglishtestA challenge, trial; A cupel or cupelling hearth...
5Middle Englishteste
6Old Frenchtestehead
7Latintestiswitness; one who testifies or attests; testicle
8Latinterstis
9Latintrīstissad, unhappy, melancholy, morose
10Proto-Indo-Europeantristh₂sa third party standing, after the two parties to...
11Proto-Indo-Europeansteh₂-to stand

via English nose

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishnoseA protuberance on the face housing the nostrils,...
2Middle Englishnōsenose
3Old FrenchnousAlternative form of nos
4Latinnōswe, us
5Proto-Italicnōswe
6Proto-Indo-Europeanwéywe
7Proto-Indo-Europeanéǵh₂I
Every word from Proto-Indo-European steh₂-Every word from Proto-Indo-European tristh₂sEvery word from Latin trīstis