It does not mean abusing or punishing or whipping in the Attic [authors], but interrogating without blows and investigating the truth through words; from the goldsmith's touchstone [ba/sanos], used metaphorically.[1]
And Polybius [writes]: "then, thinking he had [applied] the test of fire he was relieved of his suspicion."[2]
Also [sc. attested is] basani/sas ["having tested"]; with an accusative. All [authors] worth speaking of use it to mean having made trial of [dokima/sas].[3]
Aristophanes [uses it] this way: "take this person here and test him, and if you ever find that I've done wrong, take me away and kill me. -- And how do I test him? -- In every way. Tying him to a board, hanging him, whipping him with the lash, flaying him,[4] contorting him; even pouring vinegar into his nostrils, piling bricks on him, and all the other ways. Only don't hit him with this young onion."[5] Since free men before this used to flay [slaves] with leeks and garlic greens. [He is saying ] test him by all means, not in sport, nor as free men do to slaves with the shoot of a leek or an onion, that is, of a wild leek, or, as some [say], with the leaf of a leek.[6]