Verdict Meaning
Verdict Definition & Usage
A decision or judgment reached by a jury or judge in a court of law.
Examples
- "The jury deliberated for hours before delivering their verdict of guilty."
- "After the trial, the judge announced the verdict, sentencing the defendant to five years in prison."
- "The verdict was controversial, with many believing the defendant should have received a lighter sentence."
- "Her verdict on the case was delivered swiftly, leaving no room for doubt about the outcome."
- "The court's verdict is final, and there will be no further appeals."
An opinion or judgment about something, often final or authoritative in nature.
Examples
- "After hours of discussion, the verdict on the new policy was overwhelmingly in favor."
- "Her verdict on the film was that it was too predictable to be engaging."
- "The committee gave their verdict on the proposal, rejecting it due to lack of evidence."
- "My verdict on the restaurant is that the food was excellent but the service was slow."
- "He made his verdict about the team's performance quickly, without considering all factors."
Cultural Context
The word 'verdict' comes from the Latin phrase 'verum dicere', meaning 'to speak the truth'. It has evolved over time to represent a formal decision in a legal context, but is also commonly used metaphorically in everyday language to mean a final decision or judgment.
The Final Verdict
Story
The Final Verdict
It was a cold, rainy day in the courtroom, and every eye was fixed on the judge as she prepared to announce the verdict. The case had been complex, involving a long investigation and multiple testimonies, but now the fate of the accused rested in the hands of the jury. The prosecutor stood confidently, knowing the evidence was compelling, but the defense attorney had worked tirelessly to cast doubt on key details. As the jury filed back into the courtroom, whispers filled the air. After hours of deliberation, the verdict was finally delivered. 'Guilty,' the foreperson declared, and the courtroom fell silent. Outside, the rain had stopped, but the weight of the decision lingered. For some, the verdict was a moment of justice; for others, it was a reminder of how complicated truth could be. Later that evening, at a dinner with colleagues, Sarah reflected on her own verdict of the movie she'd just watched. 'It wasn't bad,' she said, 'but I wouldn't call it a masterpiece.' Her friends laughed, but one of them disagreed, offering a counterpoint. The conversation shifted to other topics, but Sarah couldn’t shake the feeling that her own judgment on the film had been as final and firm as a court ruling. The following day, Sarah gave her final verdict on the new office policy—she was in favor, but with a few reservations about implementation. In all these situations, from the courtroom to casual conversations, the word 'verdict' had proven to be a symbol of conclusion, whether the matter at hand was life-changing or simply an afternoon film critique.
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