n. & v.
n. 1 a public officer appointed to hear and try causes in a court of justice. 2 a person appointed to decide a dispute or contest. 3 a a person who decides a question. b a person regarded in terms of capacity to decide on the merits of a thing or question (am no judge of that; a good judge of art). 4 Jewish hist. a leader having temporary authority in Israel in the period between Joshua and the Kings.
v. 1 tr. a try (a cause) in a court of justice. b pronounce sentence on (a person). 2 tr. form an opinion about; estimate, appraise. 3 tr. act as a judge of (a dispute or contest). 4 tr. (often foll. by to + infin. or that + clause) conclude, consider, or suppose. 5 intr. a form a judgement. b act as judge. Judge Advocate General an officer in supreme control of the courts martial in the armed forces. Judges' Rules Brit. rules regarding the admissibility of an accused's statements as evidence. judgelike adj. judgeship n.
[ ME f. OF juge (n.), juger (v.) f. L judex judicis f. jus law + -dicus speaking ]