assess

English

Etymology

From Middle English assessen, from Old French assesser, from Medieval Latin assessare, originally the frequentative of Latin assessus, past participle of assidēre, from ad (“to, towards, at”) + sedeō (“sit; settle down”). Cognate with Spanish asentar (“to settle”).

Pronunciation

Verb

assess (third-person singular simple present assesses, present participle assessing, simple past and past participle assessed)

  1. (transitive) To determine, estimate or judge the value of; to evaluate; to estimate.
    He assessed the situation.
  2. (transitive) To impose or charge, especially as punishment for an infraction.
    The referee assessed a penalty for delaying the game.
    A $10.00 late fee will be assessed on all overdue accounts.
    • 1984 February 4, Christine Guilfoy, “Three Seneca Women Get 89 Days in Jail”, in Gay Community News, volume 11, number 28, page 1:
      Judge Cohen ruled that Blacklock, McKenzie and Benschop must make restitution for the $50.29 damage and that each must pay a mandatory $40.00 surcharge assessed to anybody who is found guilty of a misdemeanor in New York state.
  3. (transitive) To calculate and demand (the tax money due) from a person or entity.
    Once you've submitted a tax return, the Tax Department will assess the amount of tax you still owe.

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