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definitions

estimate

[verb es-tuh-meyt; noun es-tuh-mit, -meyt]
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verb (used with object), es·ti·mat·ed, es·ti·mat·ing.

to form an approximate judgment or opinion regarding the worth, amount, size, weight, etc., of; calculate approximately: to estimate the cost of a college education.
to form an opinion of; judge.

verb (used without object), es·ti·mat·ed, es·ti·mat·ing.

to make an estimate.

noun

an approximate judgment or calculation, as of the value, amount, time, size, or weight of something.
a judgment or opinion, as of the qualities of a person or thing.
a statement of the approximate charge for work to be done, submitted by a person or business firm ready to undertake the work.

Origin of estimate

1525–35; < Latin aestimātus, past participle of aestimāre to value, estimate; see -ate1
Related formses·ti·mat·ing·ly, adverbes·ti·ma·tor, nounpre·es·ti·mate, verb (used with object), pre·es·ti·mat·ed, pre·es·ti·mat·ing.pre·es·ti·mate, nounre·es·ti·mate, verb (used with object), re·es·ti·mat·ed, re·es·ti·mat·ing.re·es·ti·mate, nounself-es·ti·mate, nounun·es·ti·mat·ed, adjectivewell-es·ti·mat·ed, adjective

Synonyms for estimate

1. compute, count, reckon, gauge, assess, value, evaluate, appraise. 4. valuation, calculation, appraisal.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for estimator

Historical Examples of estimator

  • The estimator and his work; forms to use; general rules for estimating.

    The Uses of Italic

    Frederick W. Hamilton

  • Mr. Reivers was a foreman for the company that my father was estimator for.

    The Snow-Burner

    Henry Oyen

  • The Estimator of Destinies wheeled in his chair and cast a look of brotherly frankness into Ruggss eyes.

British Dictionary definitions for estimator

estimator

noun

a person or thing that estimates
statistics a derived random variable that generates estimates of a parameter of a given distribution, such as ̄X, the mean of a number of identically distributed random variables X i . If ̄X is unbiased, ̄x, the observed value should be close to E (X i)See also sampling statistic

estimate

verb (ˈɛstɪˌmeɪt)

to form an approximate idea of (distance, size, cost, etc); calculate roughly; gauge
(tr; may take a clause as object) to form an opinion about; judgeto estimate one's chances
to submit (an approximate price) for (a job) to a prospective client
(tr) statistics to assign a value (a point estimate) or range of values (an interval estimate) to a parameter of a population on the basis of sampling statisticsSee estimator

noun (ˈɛstɪmɪt)

an approximate calculation
a statement indicating the likely charge for or cost of certain work
a judgment; appraisal; opinion
Derived Formsestimative, adjective

Word Origin for estimate

C16: from Latin aestimāre to assess the worth of, of obscure origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for estimator
n.

1660s, from Latin aestimator, agent noun from aestimare (see estimate).

estimate

n.

1560s, "valuation," from Latin aestimatus, verbal noun from aestimare (see esteem). Earlier in sense "power of the mind" (mid-15c.). Meaning "approximate judgment" is from 1580s. As a builder's statement of projected costs, from 1796.

estimate

v.

1530s, "appraise the worth of," from Latin aestimatus, past participle of aestimare "to value, appraise" (see esteem). Meaning "form an approximate notion" is from 1660s. Related: Estimated; estimates; estimating.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper