Sen"tence (?), n. [F., from L. sententia, for sentientia, from sentire to discern by the senses and the mind, to feel, to think. See Sense, n., and cf. Sentiensi.]
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 judgical tribunal; doom. In common law, the term is exclusively used to denote the judgment in criminal cases.
Received the sentence of the law.
Shak.
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 saving not easily explained.
A king . . . understanding dark sentences.
Dan. vii. 23.
© Webster 1913.
Sen"tence, v. 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 sentenciously.
[Obs.]
Feltham.
© Webster 1913.