Esteem \Es*teem"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Esteemed; p. pr. & vb. n. Esteeming.]

[F. estimer, L. aestimare, aestumare, to value, estimate; perh. akin to Skr. ish to seek, strive, and E. ask. Cf. Aim, Estimate.]

1. To set a value on; to appreciate the worth of; to estimate; to value; to reckon.

Then he forsook God, which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation. --Deut. xxxii. 15.

Thou shouldst (gentle reader) esteem his censure and authority to be of the more weighty credence. --Bp. Gardiner.

Famous men, -- whose scientific attainments were esteemed hardly less than supernatural. --Hawthorne.

2. To set a high value on; to prize; to regard with reverence, respect, or friendship.

Will he esteem thy riches? --Job xxxvi. 19.

You talk kindlier: we esteem you for it. --Tennyson.

Syn: To estimate; appreciate; regard; prize; value; respect; revere. See Appreciate, Estimate.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)