Definition of appraise

The word "appraise" has its roots in Old French and the Latin language. It originated from the Latin term "appraisare," which means "to assess or evaluate." This Latin term is a combination of "ap-" (meaning "to" or "in the direction of") and "prais" (meaning "price" or "value"). The Old French language adopted the term "appraisier" and used it to mean "to value or estimate something." This term was later incorporated into Middle English as "appraise," retaining its original meaning. Over time, the word has evolved to encompass a broader range of meanings, including evaluating, assessing, or gauging the worth or quality of something. Today, "appraise" is commonly used in various contexts, such as real estate, art, and finance, to assign a value or estimate the worth of an item or property.