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verdict
noun
Synonyms
Example Sentences
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'verdict.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Word History
Middle English verdit, verdict, borrowed from Anglo-French veirdit "announcement, finding, judicial decision," from veir "true" (going back to Latin vērus) + dit "statement, judgment" (going back to Latin dictum), after Medieval Latin vērumdictum, vēredictum — more at very entry 2, dictum
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
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Cite this Entry
“Verdict.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/verdict. Accessed 24 Mar. 2023.
Kids Definition
verdict
nounLegal Definition
verdict
nounNote: Under Rule 50 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, judgment as a matter of law has replaced directed verdict in federal practice.
Note: Under Rule 29 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, the term judgment of acquittal has replaced directed verdict in federal practice.
Note: The acceptance of partial verdicts before a jury is finished with deliberations may interfere with the deliberative process; having a jury achieve unanimity on a higher charge first discourages compromise verdicts on lesser included offenses. In some jurisdictions it has been considered proper to afford the jury the opportunity to render a partial verdict of acquittal on a higher charge to avoid declaring a mistrial because of a hopeless deadlock only on a lesser included offense; such a verdict would prevent double jeopardy on the higher charge.
Note: A responsive verdict of guilty on a lesser included offense must be supported by the evidence.
alteration (partly conformed to Medieval Latin veredictum) of Anglo-French veirdit statement, finding, verdict, from Old French veir true (from Latin verus) + dit saying, from Latin dictum
More from Merriam-Webster on verdict
Nglish: Translation of verdict for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of verdict for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about verdict
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