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sentence

sentence, judgment

noun sahn-TAHNS Rare
Communication Writing

Also means

maxim, saying

Usage Note

Sentence is a false friend: it does NOT mean a grammatical sentence (that is une phrase). In legal contexts it means a court verdict or judgment; in literary contexts it refers to a short, pithy moral saying or maxim. A judge rend une sentence (delivers a sentence/verdict).

Examples

"Le juge a rendu sa sentence hier."

Natural Translation

The judge delivered his verdict yesterday.

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