Assessively

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. Acting with discernment and careful judgment in evaluating or estimating something
2. Describing a manner of critically analyzing the worth or quality of an object or proposition
3. Functioning with a focus on understanding and determining the significance or value of a subject at hand

Etymology: The core of this word is "assess," which comes from Latin "assidere," meaning "to sit beside." A Roman "assessor" was the person who sat beside a judge to advise on a case. Over time the idea of sitting beside someone to weigh a matter became the idea of weighing its value, and then of fixing a sum to be paid, as in a tax or levy. "Assessive" is formed by adding the suffix "-ive," which forms adjectives meaning "tending to" or "characterized by," to the verb. The adverb ending "-ly" comes from Old English "-lic," which turned adjectives into adverbs. So the adverb describes doing something in the manner of a careful evaluation, with the weighing of evidence taking place before any judgment is made.

Synonyms: critically, judgmentally, evaluatively

Antonyms: uncritically, indifferently