assess
v.v. to judge or decide the value, quality, or importance of something. You do this when you look at all the facts to see how good or bad a situation is.
v. to evaluate or estimate the nature, ability, or quality of something; to determine the value or extent of a specific situation. Transitive — requires a direct object.
The teacher needs to assess the students' progress.
Insurance agents will visit the property to assess the damage caused by the storm before approving the claim.
The committee spent several weeks trying to assess the long-term environmental impact of the new factory on the local ecosystem before granting a building permit.
From Middle English assessen, from Old French assesser, from Medieval Latin assessare, originally the frequentative of Latin assessus, past participle of assidēre, from ad (“to, towards, at”) + sedeō (“sit; settle down”). Cognate with Spanish asentar (“to settle”).
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object. It is frequently used in passive constructions in formal or academic reports.