Pronunciation: [ɐpɹˈɪsə͡lz] (IPA) 
The word "apprisals" is spelled with two "p"s and two "s"s, even though it may seem like it should be spelled with only one "p". This is because the word comes from the French verb "appriser", which means "to appraise" or "to evaluate". In French, the double "p" and "s" are pronounced distinctly and so, the English spelling reflects this. The IPA phonetic transcription would be /əˈpraɪzəlz/ to accurately represent the pronunciation.
Appraisals refer to the assessment or evaluation of someone or something in order to determine its value, worth, quality, or importance. It is a systematic process that involves the consideration of various factors to provide an informed judgment or opinion about a person, object, event, or situation.
In the context of the business world, appraisals often refer to performance appraisals, which are formal evaluations of an employee's job performance. These assessments typically involve a comprehensive examination of an individual's skills, competencies, achievements, and overall contribution to the organization. Performance appraisals aim to provide feedback to employees, recognize their strengths, identify areas for improvement, and make decisions regarding promotions, compensation, and training opportunities.
Appraisals can also be applied to tangible objects, such as real estate or personal property, where a qualified appraiser assesses their monetary value. This involves careful examination, research, and consideration of various factors like market conditions, historical data, condition, and uniqueness, among others. The objective of these appraisals is to determine an accurate value for the purpose of buying, selling, insurance, taxes, or legal matters.
Overall, appraisals are an essential tool for making informed judgments about the worth, quality, or importance of individuals, objects, or situations. Their aim is to provide a fair and unbiased evaluation, leading to better decision-making and effective management.
The word "apprisals" is derived from the verb "appraise". The verb "appraise" originated from the Old French word "apreisier" which meant "to set a price on" or "to value". "Apreisier" was formed by combining the prefix "a-" (to or towards) and the verb "preisier" (to praise or value). Over time, the meaning of "appraise" evolved to include the act of evaluating or assessing the worth or quality of something, and "apprisals" refers to the assessments or evaluations themselves.
