estimate
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estimate¹
- /ˈɛs.tɪ.mət/
- /ˈɛs.tə.mət/
Where it comes from
From Middle English estimat, borrowed from Latin aestimātus (“valuing, estimate”, only used in the ablative singular: "aestimātū..." (in valuing...)), from aestimō + -tus (“action noun-forming suffix”).
noun estimates · æstimate
- A rough calculation or assessment of the value, size, or cost of something. “They know our boats will stand up to their work,” said Willison, “and that counts for a good deal. A low estimate from us doesn't mean scamped work, but just that we want to keep the yard busy over a slack time.”
- A document (or verbal notification) specifying how much a job is likely to cost.
- An upper limitation on some positive quantity. The desired norm estimate is now obtained from the identity... [referring to an earlier statement saying that a certain norm is less than or equal to a certain expression]
estimate²
- /ˈɛs.tɪˌmeɪt/
- /ˈɛs.təˌmeɪt/
Where it comes from
Borrowed from Latin aestimātus, perfect passive participle of aestimō (“to estimate”) (see -ate), older form aestumō (“to value, rate, esteem”); from Old Latin *ais-temos (“one who cuts copper”), meaning one in the Roman Republic who mints money. Compare Middle English estymatt (“reputed”) / estimat. See also the doublet esteem, as well as aim.
verb estimates · estimating · estimated · æstimate
- To calculate roughly, often from imperfect data. I estimate that I need 400 board feet of lumber to complete a job, and then order 350 because I do not want a surplus, or perhaps order 450 because I do not want to make any subsequent orders.
- To judge and form an opinion of the value of, from imperfect data. It is by the weight of silver, and not the name of the piece, that men estimate commodities and exchange them.
Similar: appraise, assess, approximate, put, give
estimate³
Where it comes from
From Latin aestimātus (“estimated”), see -ate (adjective-forming suffix) and Etymology 2 for more. Originally used as the past participle of estimate; compare generate or communicate.
adjective more estimate · most estimate · æstimate
- estimated
