Definition

1. Noun:
   • (Law) The formal decision or finding made by a jury regarding the facts of a case presented to them in a court of law. This decision is typically "guilty" or "not guilty" in criminal cases, or determines liability in civil cases. It is the jury's official answer to the questions put before it.
   • (General) A decision, judgment, or opinion on any matter after consideration. This is a metaphorical extension of the legal term, used to express a conclusive opinion.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Legal):

  • The jury reached a verdict of not guilty after three days of deliberation.
  • The judge will formally read the verdict in court tomorrow.

• Noun (General):

  • The critics' verdict on the new film was overwhelmingly positive.
  • The public has delivered its verdict on the government's new policy through the latest opinion polls.

Advanced Usage

• "To return a verdict": This is the formal legal phrase for when a jury announces its decision in court.

  • The jury is expected to return its verdict by the end of the week.

• "Open verdict": A finding by a coroner's jury that states the cause of death is unknown or the evidence is insufficient to determine a more specific conclusion.

  • The inquest recorded an open verdict due to the lack of conclusive evidence.

• "Partial verdict": A verdict where a jury finds a defendant guilty of some, but not all, of the charges.

  • The jury delivered a partial verdict, convicting him of theft but acquitting him of the more serious assault charge.

• "Majority verdict": A verdict agreed upon by most, but not all, members of a jury (e.g., 10 out of 12 jurors).

  • In some jurisdictions, a majority verdict is acceptable if the jury cannot reach unanimity.

Variants and Related Words

• Verdictive (adj): Pertaining to or having the nature of a verdict. (This is a technical, rarely used term).
• Adjudication (n): The legal process of resolving a dispute; the act of making a formal judgment or decision. (A broader legal term).
• Finding (n): A conclusion reached after inquiry or investigation, often used in legal contexts (e.g., findings of fact).

Synonyms

• Judgment: A formal decision given by a court or a person forming an opinion.
• Decision: A conclusion or resolution reached after consideration.
• Finding: (In law) a conclusion on a question of fact reached by a jury, arbitrator, etc.
• Conclusion: The end or finish of an event or process; a judgment or decision.

Idioms and Phrases

• "The verdict is in": Used to indicate that a decision or general opinion has been formed.

  • The verdict is in: this new restaurant is the best in town.

• "Await the verdict": To wait for a decision or judgment to be made.

  • The entire company is anxiously awaiting the verdict from the board of directors.

• "A verdict of history": A judgment or assessment made by future generations or over a long period.

  • The final verdict of history on his leadership may be more favorable than contemporary opinion.

Noun

1. (law) the findings of a jury on issues of fact submitted to it for decision; can be used in formulating a judgment