As-sĕss'or, n.
n. [Lat. assessor, one who sits beside, the assistant of a judge, from assidēre. See ASSESSION. L. Lat. assessor, one who arranges or determines the taxes, from assidēre. See ASSESS, v.]
Sense 1. One who sits by another, as next in dignity, or as an assistant and adviser; an associate.
Whence to his Son, The assessor of his throne, he thus began. Milton.
To point out the supremacy of conscience as the judge and assessor of our moral conduct. Tatham.
With his ignorance, his inclinations, and his fancy, as his assessors in judgment. J. Taylor.
Sense 2. One appointed to assess persons or property for the purpose of taxation. Bouvier.
Sense 3. (Rom. Antiq.) A lawyer appointed to assist the magistrate with his advice. Bouvier.
A similar system exists in Scotland, where municipal magistrates in the larger towns have the aid of professional assessors.
Minos, the strict inquisitor, appears, And lives and crimes with his assessors hears. Dryden.
Sense 4. (Eng.) A person chosen to assist the mayor and aldermen of corporations in matters concerning elections. Brande.