Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Sentence
Sen′tence
,Noun.
1.
Sense; meaning; significance.
[Obs.]
Tales of best
sentence
and most solace. Chaucer.
The discourse itself, voluble enough, and full of
sentence
. Milton.
2.
(a)
An opinion; a decision; a determination; a judgment, especially one of an unfavorable nature.
My
sentence
is for open war. Milton.
That by them [Luther’s works] we may pass
sentence
upon his doctrines. Atterbury.
(b)
A philosophical or theological opinion; a dogma;
as, Summary of the
. Sentences
; Book of the Sentences
3.
(Law)
In civil and admiralty law, the judgment of a court pronounced in a cause; in criminal and ecclesiastical courts, a judgment passed on a criminal by a court or judge; condemnation pronounced by a judicial tribunal; doom. In common law, the term is exclusively used to denote the judgment in criminal cases.
Received the
sentence
of the law. Shakespeare
4.
A short saying, usually containing moral instruction; a maxim; an axiom; a saw.
Broome.
5.
(Gram.)
A combination of words which is complete as expressing a thought, and in writing is marked at the close by a period, or full point. See
Proposition
, 4. ☞ Sentences are simple or compound. A simple sentence consists of one subject and one finite verb; as, “The Lord reigns.” A compound sentence contains two or more subjects and finite verbs, as in this verse: -
He fills, he bounds, connects, and equals all.
Pope.
Dark sentence
, a saying not easily explained.
A king . . . understanding
dark sentences
. Dan. vii. 23.
Sen′tence
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Sentenced
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Sentencing
.] 1.
To pass or pronounce judgment upon; to doom; to condemn to punishment; to prescribe the punishment of.
Nature herself is
sentenced
in your doom. Dryden.
2.
To decree or announce as a sentence.
[Obs.]
Shak.
3.
To utter sententiously.
[Obs.]
Feltham.
Webster 1828 Edition
Sentence
SEN'TENCE
,Noun.
1. In law, a judgement pronounced by a court or judge upon a criminal; a jdicial decision publicly and officially declared in a criminal prosecution. In technical language, sentence is used only for the declaration of judgement against the convicted of a crime. In civil cases, the decision of the court is called a judgement. In criminal cases, sentence is a judgement pronounced; doom.
2. In language not technical, a determination or decision given, particularly a decision that condemns, ar an unfavorable determination.
Let him be sent out lome of Luther's works, that by them we may pass sentence upon his doctrines. Atterbury.
3. An opinion; judgement concerning a controverted point.
4. A maxim; an axiom; a short saying containing moral instruction.
5. Vindication of one's innocence.
6. In grammar, a period; a number of words containing a complete sense or sentiment, and followed by a full pause. Sentences are simple or compound. A simple sentence consists of one subject and one finite verb; as, 'the Lord reigns.' A compound sentence two or more subjects and finite verbs, as in this verse,
He fills, he bounds, connects and equals all. Pope.