Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
JUDGE
I. verb (judged; judging) see: just
Date: 13th century
transitive verb to form an opinion about through careful weighing of evidence and testing of premises, to sit in judgment on ; try , to determine or pro noun ce after inquiry and deliberation, govern , rule , to form an estimate or evaluation of, to hold as an opinion ; guess , think , intransitive verb to form an opinion, to decide as a judge, see: infer judger noun
II. noun
Etymology: Middle English juge, from Anglo-French, from Latin judex
Date: 14th century
one who judges: as, a public official authorized to decide questions brought before a court, a tribal hero exercising leadership among the Hebrews after the death of Joshua, one appointed to decide in a contest or competition ; umpire , one who gives an authoritative opinion, critic , judgeship noun