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judge

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The definition of a judge is a person who has the authority to hear and decide court cases or a person who is assigned the job of making an assessment about something.

(noun)

An example of judge is Sandra Day O'Connor, a former Supreme Court judge.
An example of judge is someone who picks the winner in a science fair.

Judge is defined as to decide on or form an opinion about something.

(verb)

An example of judge is to choose the winner of a flower show.

See judge in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

an elected or appointed public official with authority to hear and decide cases in a court of law
a person designated to determine the winner in a contest, settle a controversy, etc.
a person qualified to give an opinion or decide on the relative worth of anything: a good judge of music
Jewish History any of the governing leaders of the Israelites after Joshua and before the time of the kings

Origin: ME juge < OFr < L judex, a judge, lit., one who points out the right < jus, law + dicere, to say, point out: see jury & diction

transitive verb, intransitive verb judged, judging

to hear and pass judgment on (persons or cases) in a court of law
to determine the winner of (a contest) or settle (a controversy)
to decree
to form an idea, opinion, or estimate about (any matter)
to criticize or censure
to think or suppose
Jewish History to govern

Origin: ME juggen < OFr juger, jugier < L judicare, to judge, declare the law < judex: see judgethe

Related Forms:

judger noun

See judge in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb judged judged, judg·ing, judg·es

verb, transitive

To form an opinion or estimation of after careful consideration: judge heights; judging character.
a. Law To hear and decide on in a court of law; try: judge a case.
b. Obsolete To pass sentence on; condemn.
c. To act as one appointed to decide the winners of: judge an essay contest.
To determine or declare after consideration or deliberation.
Informal To have as an opinion or assumption; suppose: I judge you're right.
Bible To govern; rule. Used of an ancient Israelite leader.

verb, intransitive

To form an opinion or evaluation.
To act or decide as a judge.

noun

One who judges, especially:
a. One who makes estimates as to worth, quality, or fitness: a good judge of used cars; a poor judge of character.
b. Abbr. J. Law A public official who hears and decides cases brought before a court of law.
c. Law A bankruptcy referee.
d. One appointed to decide the winners of a contest or competition.
Bible
a. A leader of the Israelites during a period of about 400 years between the death of Joshua and the accession of Saul.
b. Judges (used with a sing. verb) Abbr. Judg. or Jgs or Jg See Table at Bible.