assess

[ uh-ses ]

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.

   Synonyms: adjust, appraise

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.

   Synonyms: appraise

assess

/ əˈsɛs /

verb

1. to judge the worth, importance, etc, of; evaluate
2. foll by at to estimate the value of (income, property, etc) for taxation purposes

   the estate was assessed at three thousand pounds

3. to determine the amount of (a fine, tax, damages, etc)
4. to impose a tax, fine, etc, on (a person or property)

Derived Forms

• asˈsessable, adjective

Other Words From

• as·sess·a·ble adjective
• o·ver·as·sess verb (used with object)
• re·as·sess verb (used with object)
• un·as·sess·a·ble adjective
• un·as·sessed adjective
• well-as·sessed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of assess¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English assessen, from Old French assesser, from Medieval Latin assessāre “to assess a tax,” derivative of Latin assessus “seated beside (a judge)” (past participle of assidēre ), equivalent to as- “toward” + sed- (stem of sedēre “to sit”) + -tus past participle suffix; as-, sit ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of assess¹

C15: from Old French assesser, from Latin assidēre to sit beside, from sedēre to sit

Example Sentences

Successful classification was evaluated and then the accuracy of the application was assessed.

From Science Daily

To test the treatment's effectiveness, the team assessed the patients' voice symptoms before the treatment and different intervals after the treatment.

From Science Daily

To assess the long-term risk of consuming GenX-contaminated produce in impacted communities, researchers also calculated the chronic-exposure daily limit, which is the maximum amount of produce that an individual could safely consume daily.

From Science Daily

In preclinical studies, the team targeted EZH2's alternative activities to assess potential treatment solutions.

From Science Daily

Action Fraud said at least one report is "currently being assessed" by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau.

From BBC

Related Words

• appraise
• check
• determine
• estimate
• fix
• gauge
• judge
• weigh