noun

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

Etymology: 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 judg′·ing

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

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