sentence

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. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Tales of best sentence and most solace. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

The discourse itself, voluble enough, and full of sentence. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (a) An opinion; a decision; a determination; a judgment, especially one of an unfavorable nature. [ 1913 Webster ]

My sentence is for open war. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

That by them [ Luther's works ] we may pass sentence upon his doctrines. Atterbury. [ 1913 Webster ]

(b) A philosophical or theological opinion; a dogma; as, Summary of the Sentences; Book of the Sentences. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Received the sentence of the law. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A short saying, usually containing moral instruction; a maxim; an axiom; a saw. Broome. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ 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: - [ 1913 Webster ]

He fills, he bounds, connects, and equals all. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

Dark sentence, a saying not easily explained. [ 1913 Webster ]

A king . . . understanding dark sentences. Dan. vii. 23. [ 1913 Webster ]