judge

n. 1 public official appointed to hear and try legal cases. 2 person appointed to decide in a contest, dispute, etc. 3 a person who decides a question. B person regarded as having judgement of a specified type (am no judge; good judge of art). v. (-ging) 1 form an opinion or judgement (about); estimate, appraise. 2 act as a judge (of). 3 a try (a case) at law. B pronounce sentence on. 4 (often foll. By to + infin. Or that + clause) conclude, consider. [latin judex judic-]

v. i. A public officer who is invested with authority to hear and determine litigated causes, and to administer justice between parties in courts held for that purpose.