assessment
UK: əˈsesmənt | US: əˈsesmənt
n. the act of evaluating or judging the nature, quality, or importance of something
n. an official calculation of the value or amount of something (e.g., taxes)
n. (education) a method of measuring a student's progress or ability
The word "assessment" derives from the Latin verb "assessus," the past participle of "assidēre" (to sit beside, assist in judgment). The root "assess" originally referred to the determination of taxes or fines by judicial authority. Over time, it broadened to include any formal evaluation. The suffix "-ment" (from Latin "-mentum") transforms verbs into nouns denoting the action or result of the verb. Thus, "assessment" literally means "the act of estimating or judging."
The teacher's assessment of the essay was thorough and fair.
The property tax assessment shocked the homeowners.
Regular skills assessments help employees track their professional growth.
The environmental impact assessment delayed the construction project.
Her critical assessment of the novel sparked a lively debate.