Judges: meaning, definitions and examples

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judges

 

[ ˈdʒʌdʒɪz ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

in court

A person who has the authority to hear and decide cases in a court of law. Judges are responsible for ensuring that trials are conducted fairly and that the law is upheld.

Synonyms

arbiter, justice, magistrate.

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Word Description / Examples
judges

Used to describe individuals who preside over court cases and make decisions based on law. Common in most legal systems.

  • The judges were unanimous in their decision.
  • The case will be reviewed by three judges.
magistrate

Describes a lower-level judge who handles minor cases, preliminary hearings, and other judicial duties such as issuing warrants.

  • The magistrate dealt with the case of petty theft swiftly.
  • She appeared before the magistrate for a preliminary hearing.
justice

Often used to refer to a higher court judge, especially in supreme courts. Also denotes the administration of the law or fairness in general.

  • Justice Smith delivered the final ruling.
  • The concept of justice is central to a fair society.
arbiter

Refers to a person or group with the authority to settle a dispute outside of the court system, often in arbitration or negotiation scenarios.

  • The arbiter resolved the conflict between the two companies.
  • As an arbiter, she ensured both sides were heard fairly.

Examples of usage

  • They appointed a new judge to preside over the trial.
  • The judge found the defendant guilty of the crime.
Context #2 | Verb

evaluate

To form an opinion or conclusion about someone or something after careful consideration. Judges can be critical in nature, often assessing the performance or quality of a person or object.

Synonyms

assess, critique, evaluate.

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Word Description / Examples
judges

Used when referring to a formal decision made by an official in a courtroom or competition setting. It often implies a sense of authority and finality.

  • The judges announced the winner of the talent show
  • The judge ruled in favor of the plaintiff
assess

Commonly used in educational, professional, or analytical settings where the objective is to examine and determine the value, importance, or quality of something.

  • Teachers regularly assess students' progress through tests and assignments
  • The manager will assess the project’s feasibility
evaluate

Used in general to describe the process of judging the value, merits, or effectiveness of something by considering various factors and evidence.

  • The company will evaluate the candidates based on their skills and experience
  • Scientists evaluated the data from the experiment to reach a conclusion
critique

Often used in artistic or academic settings where a detailed analysis and review, usually involving both positive and negative aspects, is provided.

  • The professor asked the students to critique each other's work
  • The film received a thoughtful critique from the critic

Examples of usage

  • She judges the entries for the art competition.
  • Don't judge a book by its cover.

Translations

Translations of the word "judges" in other languages:

🇵🇹 juízes

🇮🇳 न्यायाधीश

🇩🇪 Richter

🇮🇩 hakim

🇺🇦 судді

🇵🇱 sędziowie

🇯🇵 裁判官

🇫🇷 juges

🇪🇸 jueces

🇹🇷 hakimler

🇰🇷 판사

🇸🇦 قضاة

🇨🇿 soudci

🇸🇰 súdci

🇨🇳 法官

🇸🇮 sodniki

🇮🇸 dómara

🇰🇿 судьялар

🇬🇪 მსაჯები

🇦🇿 məhkəmələr

🇲🇽 jueces

Etymology

The word 'judge' originates from the Old French 'jugier' and Latin 'judicare', meaning 'to pass judgment'. The concept of a judge as a legal official dates back to ancient times, with various civilizations employing individuals to settle disputes and administer justice. Over the centuries, the role of judges has evolved to encompass a wide range of responsibilities in different legal systems around the world.

See also: adjudge, adjudicate, injudicious, judgable, judgeable, judgement, judging, judgment, judgmental, judgmentally, judicial, judiciary, judicious, judiciously, judiciousness, misjudge, misjudgment, prejudge, prejudgment.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,784, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.