[judge] vb judged ; judg.ing [ME juggen, fr. OF jugier, fr. L judicare, fr. judic-, judex judge, fr. jus right, law + dicere to decide, say--more at just, diction] vt (13c) 1: to form an opinion about through careful weighing of evidence and testing of premises
2: to sit in judgment on: try
3: to determine or pronounce after inquiry and deliberation
4: govern, rule--used of a Hebrew tribal leader
5: to form an estimate or evaluation of; esp: to form a negative opinion about "shouldn't ~ him because of his accent"
6: to hold as an opinion: guess, think "I ~ she knew what she was doing" ~ vi 1: to form an opinion
2: to decide as a judge syn see infer -- judg.er n
[2]judge n [ME juge, fr. MF, fr. L judex] (14c): one who judges: as a: a public official authorized to decide questions brought before a court b often cap: a tribal hero exercising leadership among the Hebrews after the death of Joshua c: one appointed to decide in a contest or competition: umpire d: one who gives an authoritative opinion e: critic -- judge.ship n