judgement
UK[ˈdʒʌdʒmənt]US[ˈdʒʌdʒmənt]
n
The ability to make considered decisions or come to sensible conclusions.
n
An opinion or conclusion formed after considering evidence.
n
The formal decision or verdict given by a court or judge.
Morpheme Breakdown
judge
ment
judge
to judge
ment
result or action
Etymology
The word 'judgement' narrates the formalization of a core social and legal act. Its journey begins with the Latin compound 'judicium', itself formed from 'jus' (law, right) and 'dicere' (to say, declare), literally meaning "to say the law." This passed into Old French as 'jugement', carrying the sense of forming an opinion or making a legal decision. The suffix '-ment', a Latin derivative indicating the action or result, was firmly attached, transforming the verb 'to judge' into the noun denoting the process or its outcome. Thus, the modern English word encapsulates the entire concept, from the mental faculty of discernment to the authoritative pronouncement of a court.
Analysis
Structure: judge (to judge) + ment (result or action)
- judge: From Old French 'jugier', from Latin 'judicare' (to judge), from 'judex' (a judge). Functions as the core verbal root.
- ment: From Old French '-ment', from Latin '-mentum', a suffix forming nouns that denote the action or result of a verb. Functions as a nominalizing suffix.
Examples
The accident was caused by an error of judgement.
In my judgement, the plan is too risky.
The court will pass judgement next week.