estimate

 

verb

Pronunciation: /ˈɛstɪmeɪt/
[with object]
  • roughly calculate or judge the value, number, quantity, or extent of: the aim is to estimate the effects of macroeconomic policy on the economy [with clause]: it is estimated that smoking causes 100,000 premature deaths every year (as adjective estimated) an estimated cost of $1,000 million

noun

Pronunciation: /ˈɛstɪmət/
  • an approximate calculation or judgement of the value, number, quantity, or extent of something: at a rough estimate, staff are recycling a quarter of paper used
  • a written statement indicating the likely price that will be charged for specified work or repairs: compare costs by getting estimates from at least two firms
  • a judgement of the worth or character of someone or something: his high estimate of the poem

Derivatives

estimative

Pronunciation: /-mətɪv/
adjective

Origin:

late Middle English: from Latin aestimat- 'determined, appraised', from the verb aestimare. The noun originally meant 'intellectual ability, comprehension' (only in late Middle English), later 'valuing, a valuation' (compare with estimation). The verb originally meant 'to think well or badly of someone or something' (late 15th century), later 'regard as being, consider to be' (compare with esteem)