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)

Other Word Forms

• assessable adjective
• overassess verb (used with object)
• reassess verb (used with object)
• unassessable adjective
• unassessed adjective
• well-assessed 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

A spokesman for GMP said a suspicious device worn by the attacker during the incident was assessed and found not to be a viable explosive.

From BBC

However, Mr Justice Baker said the tax authority's "controls for assessing and paying dividend tax refund claims were so flimsy as to be almost non-existent".

From BBC

However, repeating the word used in the assessment of the loss of fishing grounds, BP told the BBC that the environmental impact was assessed as "negligible".

From BBC

BBC Sport assesses the record-breaking takeover, what it means and whether it signals a change in strategy or a general diversification of PIF's business interests.

From BBC

Now there is new guidance for these types of cases, including more detail about how to assess the seriousness of allegations.

From BBC

Related Words

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