\Ver"dict\, n. [OE. verdit, OF. verdit, veirdit, LL.
verdictum, veredictum; L. vere truly (fr. verus true) +
dictum a saying, a word, fr. dicere, dictum, to say. See
{Very}, and {Dictum}.]
1. (Law) The answer of a jury given to the court concerning
   any matter of fact in any cause, civil or criminal,
   committed to their examination and determination; the
   finding or decision of a jury on the matter legally
   submitted to them in the course of the trial of a cause.
Note: The decision of a judge or referee, upon an issue of
      fact, is not called a verdict, but a finding, or a
      finding of fact. --Abbott.
2. Decision; judgment; opinion pronounced; as, to be
   condemned by the verdict of the public.
         These were enormities condemned by the most natural
         verdict of common humanity.           --South.
         Two generations have since confirmed the verdict
         which was pronounced on that night.   --Macaulay.