judge

judge [juj]

n.

[ME juge < OFr < L judex, a judge, lit., one who points out the right < jus, law + dicere, to say, point out: see JURY¹ & DICTION]

1. an elected or appointed public official with authority to hear and decide cases in a court of law

2. a person designated to determine the winner in a contest, settle a controversy, etc.

3. a person qualified to give an opinion or decide on the relative worth of anything [a good judge of music]

4. Jewish History any of the governing leaders of the Israelites after Joshua and before the time of the kings

vt., vi.

judged, judging [ME juggen < OFr juger, jugier < L judicare, to judge, declare the law < judex: see JUDGE the n.]

1. to hear and pass judgment on (persons or cases) in a court of law

2. to determine the winner of (a contest) or settle (a controversy)

3. to decree

4. to form an idea, opinion, or estimate about (any matter)

5. to criticize or censure

6. to think or suppose

7. Jewish History to govern

SYN.- INFER

judger

n.

SYN.- JUDGE is applied to one who, by the authority vested in him or her by expertness of knowledge, is qualified to settle a controversy or decide on the relative merit of things [a judge of a beauty contest ]; ARBITER emphasizes the authoritativeness of decision of one whose judgment in a particular matter is considered indisputable [an arbiter of the social graces ]; REFEREE and UMPIRE both apply to a person to whom anything is referred for decision or settlement [a referee in bankruptcy ] and, in sports, to officials charged with the regulation of a contest, ruling on the plays in a game, etc. [a referee in boxing, basketball, etc., an umpire in baseball, cricket, etc. ]