judge
JUHJ
/dʒʌdʒ/
(noun) A public official appointed to decide cases in a court of law. (verb) To form an opinion or conclusion about.
As a noun, it's a specific legal role. As a verb, it can be general (to evaluate) or specific (to make a legal ruling).
The story behind the word. Our word 'judge' comes from the Old French 'juge,' which traces back to the Latin 'iudex.' This Latin term literally means 'one who pronounces judgment,' formed from 'ius' (law) and 'dicere' (to say). So, a judge is fundamentally the person who 'says the law' or declares the legal truth in a courtroom.
Word relationships
- magistrate: A magistrate typically presides over lower courts and handles less serious cases or preliminary hearings.
- arbiter: An arbiter is a neutral third party chosen to settle a dispute, often outside of a formal court system.
Commonly confused with
- jury: A 'judge' is a single legal professional who presides over the court, ensures legal procedures are followed, and often determines the sentence. A 'jury' is a group of citizens who listen to evidence and decide the facts of the case, rendering a verdict.
Word family
- judgment (noun): the ability to make considered decisions or come to sensible conclusions; a decision or sentence given in a court of law.
- judiciary (noun): the judicial authorities of a country; judges collectively.
- judicial (adjective): of, by, or appropriate to a court or judge.
Collocations
- presiding judge
- federal judge
- district judge
- judge a contest
Idioms & expressions
- judge a book by its cover
Example sentences
- "The judge instructed the jury on the legal principles they must apply to the evidence presented." Referring to the person presiding over a court.
- "It is not for us to judge the intentions of the accused, but only the facts as presented." Using the verb form in a legal context.
Memory hook
The 'JUDGE' makes the 'JUDGMENT' in court. JUDGMENT in court
When not to use
Avoid using 'judge' as a verb in a judgmental or critical sense when a neutral evaluation is intended, unless that critical tone is desired.
Fun facts
- The phrase 'Don't judge a book by its cover' is a common idiom, advising against making hasty evaluations.
- In some legal systems, a judge can also act as a jury, especially in cases without a jury trial.
Explore more words
adjudicate, arbitrate, jurisdiction, assess, preside, impartial
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