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es·ti·mate (ĕstə-māt′)
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tr.v. es·ti·mat·ed, es·ti·mat·ing, es·ti·mates
1. To calculate approximately (the amount, extent, magnitude, position, or value of something).
2. To form an opinion about; evaluate: "While an author is yet living we estimate his powers by his worst performance" (Samuel Johnson).
n. (-mĭt)
1.
a. A tentative evaluation or rough calculation, as of worth, quantity, or size: an estimate of the damage caused by the storm.
b. A statement of the approximate cost of work to be done, such as a building project or car repairs.
2. A judgment based on one's impressions; an opinion: I have a high estimate of his character.
[Latin aestimāre, aestimāt-.]
esti·ma′tive adj.
esti·ma′tor n.
Synonyms: estimate, appraise, assess, evaluate, rate1
These verbs have to do with the consideration of judgment in ascertaining value or weighing the relative merits of something: estimated the street value of the drugs to be $500,000; appraised the diamond ring; assessing real estate for investors; evaluated a student's thesis for content and organization; rated the restaurant higher than any other in the city.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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