judges, juries and executioners

Noun

judge (plural judges)

1. A public official whose duty it is to administer the law, especially by presiding over trials and rendering judgments; a justice.
   • The parts of a judge in hearing are four: to direct the evidence; to moderate length, repetition, or impertinency of speech; to recapitulate, select, and collate the material points of that which hath been said; and to give the rule or sentence.1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Judicature”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC

   Synonyms:

   magistrate, justice, justiciar, justiciary, chief justice, Chief Justiciar, Capital Justiciary, Chief Justiciary, justicer, sheriff

2. A person who decides the fate of someone or something that has been called into question.
3. A person officiating at a sports event, a contest, or similar; referee.
   • At a boxing match, the decision of the judges is final.
4. A person who evaluates something or forms an opinion.
   • She is a good judge of wine.

   Synonyms:

   deemer, deemster

5. (historical) A shophet, a temporary leader appointed in times of crisis in ancient Israel.

See all 23 meanings of judge