Emily Dickinson Lexicon

VER'DICT, n. [L. verum dictum, true declaration.]

1. The answer of a jury given to the court concerning any matter of fact in any cause, civil or criminal, committed to their trial and examination. In criminal causes, the jury decide the law as well as the fact. Verdicts are general or special; general, when they decide in general terms, or in the terms of the general issue, as no wrong, no disseisin; special, when the jury find and state the facts at large, an as to the law, pray the judgment of the court. – Blackstone.
2. Decision; judgment; opinion pronounced; as, to be condemned by the verdict of the public. These enormities were condemned by the verdict of common humanity. – South.