Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

assess

 - 4 dictionary results

as⋅sess

  [uh-ses]
Use assess in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to estimate officially the value of (property, income, etc.) as a basis for taxation.
2. to fix or determine the amount of (damages, a tax, a fine, etc.): The hurricane damage was assessed at six million dollars.
3. to impose a tax or other charge on.
4. to estimate or judge the value, character, etc., of; evaluate: to assess one's efforts.
Origin:
1400–50; late ME assessen < ML assessāre to assess a tax, deriv. of L assēssus seated beside (a judge) (ptp. of assidēre), equiv. to as- as- + sed- (s. of sedēre to sit ) + -tus ptp. suffix

Related forms:
as⋅sess⋅a⋅ble, adjective

Synonyms:
2. appraise, adjust. 4. appraise.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To assess
as·sess   (ə-sěs')   
tr.v.   as·sessed, as·sess·ing, as·sess·es

  1. To estimate the value of (property) for taxation.

  2. To set or determine the amount of (a payment, such as a tax or fine).

  3. To charge (a person or property) with a special payment, such as a tax or fine.

  4. Sports To charge a player, coach, or team with (a foul or penalty).

  5. To determine the value, significance, or extent of; appraise. See Synonyms at estimate.


[Middle English assessen, from Old French assesser, from Latin assidēre, assess-, to sit by as an assistant judge : ad-, ad- + sedēre, to sit; see sed- in Indo-European roots.]
as·sess'a·ble adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

assess 
1423, "to fix the amount (of a tax, fine, etc.)," from Anglo-Fr. assesser, from M.L. assessare "fix a tax upon," originally frequentative of L. assidere "to sit beside" (and thus to assist in the office of a judge), from ad- "to" + sedere "to sit." One of the judge's assistant's jobs was to fix the amount of a fine or tax. Meaning "to estimate the value of property for the purpose of taxing it" is from 1809; transf. sense of "to judge the value of a person, idea, etc." is from 1934.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: as·sess
Pronunciation: &-'ses
Function: transitive verb
1 : to determine the rate or amount of (as a tax)
2 a : to impose (as a tax) according to an established rate b : to subject to a tax, charge, or levy assessed an additional five dollars>
3 : to make an official valuation of (property) for the purposes of taxation —as·sess·able /&-'se-s&-b&l/ adjective —as·sess·ment noun
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see assess on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way