(?), 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]