early 13c., "a pronunciation of an opinion, criticism," from O.Fr. jugement (11c.), from jugier (see judge). Meaning "any authoritative decision" is from early 14c. (the Doomsday sense, "trial of moral beings by God," is mid-14c.); meaning "the forming of an opinion" is from late 14c. Sense of "discernment" is first recorded 1530s.