For example, the word that means to assign a price is "price," so I can say that I priced something. I can't find the word that means to assign a probability, so for example, what is the correct way to say "I probability-ized something?"
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4'I can't find the word [for] ...' often means that the enquirer isn't aware that lexical gaps occur in English.– Edwin AshworthAug 23, 2017 at 14:14
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1Why do you think such a verb exists or is even needed? There are infinitely many combinations of ᴠᴇʀʙ+ᴏʙᴊᴇᴄᴛ lacking succinct single-word synonyms that cover both in one verb the way rank works for assign priorities or order by something. Of course one can always derive new verbs by applying standard noun-to-verb derivational morphology, and indeed the OED attests both probabilize and probabilify as verbs, but such unsightly behemoths are best left untapped. If you can't use rank I recommend using actual language to construct a phrase that has the meaning you want, not monsters.– tchrist ♦Aug 23, 2017 at 15:04
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What is the word that means to assign a height? What is the word that means to assign a density? What is the word that means to assign a car? What is the word that means to assign scissors? What is the word that means to assign a ghostbuster? What is the word that means to assign a pie? And what is the word for not understanding how language works?– RegDwigнtAug 23, 2017 at 15:10
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This isn't a single word, but if you need some variety, you could calculate the odds or determine the likelihood. // By the way, "to price something" often means to check what the common prices for the item are. "To price something at a certain value" would fit more with what you were saying.– aparente001Aug 24, 2017 at 1:27
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1I voted to re-open because actually OP did show how it would be used: "I probability-ized something."– aparente001Aug 24, 2017 at 1:28
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1 Answer
Though not a single word, you could use the phrase to set the odds (intransitive) or to set the odds of [something] (transitive).
From Wikipedia article on Odds Compiler:
An odds compiler (or trader) is a person employed by a bookmaker or betting exchange who sets the odds for events (such as sporting outcomes) for customers to place bets on.
EDIT: This is not a good answer...see @Edwin Ashworth's convincing comments below. Seems the best answer is "assign probabilities."
answered Aug 23, 2017 at 14:15
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Though related, probabilities and odds set by eg a bookmaker are different. Aug 23, 2017 at 14:16
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@Edwin Ashworth, if this is a case of a lexical gap as you intimate, what is the solution for communication? Aug 23, 2017 at 14:18
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2OP has already given this: assign a probability. This may be on the basis of symmetry {p(H) = 50% for the result of the toss of a fair (!) coin; p (a 5) = 1/6 for a throw of a 'fair' dice} or estimated on the basis of previous outcomes. Setting odds takes into account further factors (trying to make a profit / encouraging the backing of outsiders / discouraging the backing of the favourites ...). Aug 23, 2017 at 14:41