assess

views updated May 29 2018

as·sess / əˈses/ • v. [tr.] evaluate or estimate the nature, ability, or quality of: the committee must assess the relative importance of the issues. ∎  (usu. be assessed) calculate or estimate the price or value of: the damage was assessed at $5 billion. ∎  (often be assessed) set the value of a tax, fine, etc., for (a person or property) at a specified level: all empty properties will be assessed at 50 percent.DERIVATIVES: as·sess·a·ble adj.

Assess

views updated Jun 11 2018

ASSESS

To determine financial worth. To ascertain the amount of damages. To fix and adjust the individual shares to be contributed by several persons toward a common beneficial objective in proportion to the benefit each person will receive. To tax by having qualified experts estimate the value of property by considering the nature of the property, its size, the value of other comparable property, and the proportionate share of services that is used by that property. To levy a charge on the owner of property that has been improved at the expense of the local government unit, such as when sewers or sidewalks are installed.

assess

views updated May 17 2018

assess settle the amount of; rate for taxation. XV. — OF. assesserassess-, pp. stem of L. assidēre sit by, etc. (cf. ASSIDUOUS), in medL. levy, tax, f. AS- + sedēre SIT.
Hence assessment XVI. So assessor XIV. — OF. assessour (mod. -eur) — L. assessor.

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