estimate

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a judgment of the qualities of something or somebody

   many factors are involved in any estimate of human life

2. 2
   noun

   an approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth

   an estimate of what it would cost

3. 3
   noun

   a statement indicating the likely cost of some job

   I got an estimate from the car repair shop.

4. 4
   verb

   judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time)

   I estimate this chicken to weigh three pounds

5. 5
   noun

   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.”

6. 6
   noun

   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]

7. 7
   verb

   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.

8. 8
   verb

   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.

Etymology

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.