verb (used with object)
- to regard highly or favorably; regard with respect or admiration: I esteem him for his honesty.
- to consider as of a certain value or of a certain type; regard: I esteem it worthless.
- Obsolete. to set a value on; appraise.
noun
- favorable opinion or judgment; respect or regard: to hold a person in esteem.
- Archaic. opinion or judgment; estimation; valuation.
verb (tr)
- to have great respect or high regard forto esteem a colleague
- formal to judge or consider; deemto esteem an idea improper
noun
- high regard or respect; good opinion
- archaic judgment; opinion
mid-15c., from Middle French estimer (14c.), from Latin aestimare “to value, appraise,” perhaps ultimately from *ais-temos “one who cuts copper,” i.e. mints money (but de Vaan finds this “not very credible”). At first used as we would now use estimate; sense of “value, respect” is 1530s. Related: Esteemed; esteeming.
(also steem, extyme), mid-14c., “account, worth,” from French estime, from estimer (see esteem (v.)). Meaning “high regard” is from 1610s.