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Where does the word "sentence" come from? It comes from Latin sententia, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
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Where does the word "sentence" come from? It comes from Latin sententia, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
Sentence’s story begins in Latin: sententia meant “opinion, judgement.” From 'sentire', to feel. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as sentence. A verdict or opinion. It reached English by 1200s as sentence. The grammatical sense dates from the 1400s. Today, sentence means a set of words forming a statement; a punishment.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient sententia "opinion, judgement", from 'sentire', to feel.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval sentence "opinion", a verdict or opinion.
- Stage 3 · English · 1200s sentence "opinion; verdict", the grammatical sense dates from the 1400s.