Sentence /(?)/

1. Sense; meaning; significance. [Obs.]

   Tales of best sentence and most solace.

   The discourse itself, voluble enough, and full of sentence.

2. An opinion; a decision; a determination; a judgment, especially one of an unfavorable nature.

   My sentence is for open war.

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

3. A philosophical or theological opinion; a dogma; as, Summary of the Sentences; Book of the Sentences.
4. 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. (Law)

   Received the sentence of the law.

5. A short saying, usually containing moral instruction; a maxim; an axiom; a saw.
6. 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. (Gram.)

   He fills, he bounds, connects, and equals all.

   A king . . . understanding dark sentences.

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.

2. To decree or announce as a sentence. [Obs.]
3. To utter sententiously. [Obs.]