- judge (v.)
- early 13c., "to form an opinion about," from Anglo-Fr. juger, from O.Fr. jugier "to judge," from L. judicare "to judge," from judicem (nom. judex) "to judge," a compound of jus "right, law" + root of dicere "to say" (see diction). The O.E. word was deman (see doom). Meaning "to try and pronounce sentence upon (someone) in a court" is from late 13c. The noun is from c.1300. In Hebrew history, it refers to a war leader vested with temporary power (e.g. Book of Judges), from L. judex being used to translate Heb. shophet.