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judgment

[juhj-muh nt]
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noun
  1. an act or instance of judging.
  2. the ability to judge, make a decision, or form an opinion objectively, authoritatively, and wisely, especially in matters affecting action; good sense; discretion: a man of sound judgment.
  3. the demonstration or exercise of such ability or capacity: The major was decorated for the judgment he showed under fire.
  4. the forming of an opinion, estimate, notion, or conclusion, as from circumstances presented to the mind: Our judgment as to the cause of his failure must rest on the evidence.
  5. the opinion formed: He regretted his hasty judgment.
  6. Law.
    1. a judicial decision given by a judge or court.
    2. the obligation, especially a debt, arising from a judicial decision.
    3. the certificate embodying such a decision and issued against the obligor, especially a debtor.
  7. a misfortune regarded as inflicted by divine sentence, as for sin.
  8. (usually initial capital letter) Also called Last Judgment, Final Judgment. the final trial of all people, both the living and dead, at the end of the world.
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Also especially British, judge·ment.

Origin of judgment

1250–1300; Middle English jug(g)ement < Old French jugement, equivalent to juge- (stem of jugier to judge) + -ment -ment
Related formsin·ter·judg·ment, nounre·judg·ment, noun

Synonyms

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1. determination. 2. discrimination, discernment, perspicacity; sagacity, wisdom, intelligence, prudence. 6a. verdict, decree.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

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British Dictionary definitions for judgment

judgment

judgement

noun
  1. the faculty of being able to make critical distinctions and achieve a balanced viewpoint; discernment
    1. the decision or verdict pronounced by a court of law
    2. an obligation arising as a result of such a decision or verdict, such as a debt
    3. the document recording such a decision or verdict
    4. (as modifier)a judgment debtor
  3. the formal decision of one or more judges at a contest or competition
  4. a particular decision or opinion formed in a case in dispute or doubt
  5. an estimationa good judgment of distance
  6. criticism or censure
  7. logic
    1. the act of establishing a relation between two or more terms, esp as an affirmation or denial
    2. the expression of such a relation
  8. against one's better judgment contrary to a more appropriate or preferred course of action
  9. sit in judgment
    1. to preside as judge
    2. to assume the position of critic
  10. in someone's judgment in someone's opinion
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Judgment

noun
  1. the estimate by God of the ultimate worthiness or unworthiness of the individual (the Particular Judgment) or of all mankind (the General Judgment or Last Judgment)
  2. God's subsequent decision determining the final destinies of all individuals
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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 judgment

n.

mid-13c., "action of trying at law, trial," also "capacity for making decisions," from Old French jugement "legal judgment; diagnosis; the Last Judgment" (11c.), from jugier (see judge (v.)). From late 13c. as "penalty imposed by a court;" early 14c. as "any authoritative decision, verdict." From c.1300 in referfence to the Last Judgment. Also from c.1300 as "opinion." Sense of "discernment" is first recorded 1530s.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Idioms and Phrases with judgment

judgment

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.