judge
UK[dʒʌdʒ]US[dʒʌdʒ]
v
To form an opinion or conclusion about something or someone after careful consideration.
v
To decide the result of a competition or to settle a legal case.
n
A public official appointed to decide cases in a court of law.
n
A person who decides the results of a competition.
Etymology
The word 'judge' has a direct lineage through law and declaration. It originates from the Latin iudex, literally meaning "one who says the law," formed from ius (law, right) and the root of dicare (to proclaim). This term passed into Old French as juge and jugier, carrying the core senses of legal adjudication and forming opinions. Borrowed into English after the Norman Conquest, it retained its primary legal meaning while naturally expanding to encompass any authoritative person who assesses, decides, or forms a critical opinion, thus preserving the ancient link between declaring the law and making a determination.
Analysis
The word is a simplex form. It entered English from Old French jugier, which derived from Latin iudicare ("to judge"), itself from iudex ("a judge"), a compound of ius ("law, right") and dicare ("to say, declare").
Examples
It is not our place to judge others based on their past mistakes.
The panel of experts will judge the science fair entries.
The judge handed down a sentence after reviewing all the evidence.