IPA: //əˈdʒʌdʒ//
KK: /ədˈʒʌg/
To make a formal decision about something, especially in a legal context, such as deciding who should receive a reward or determining someone's status.
The court will adjudge the damages owed to the plaintiff.
Past: adjudged
Past Participle: adjudged
Adjudge is formed from "ad-" (meaning to) and "judicare" (meaning to judge). The word means to assign or award something after making a judgment.
Think of 'to judge' something ('judicare') and 'to' indicate direction ('ad-') — that's why adjudge means to make a judgment about something.