A verdict is the decision made by a jury or judge in a court case about whether someone is guilty or not. More generally, it can mean any final judgment or opinion about something.
From Latin 'veredictum' via Old French, literally meaning 'a true saying' ('verus' = true, 'dicere' = to say). It originally focused on the idea of speaking the truth as a formal decision.
Every time a jury gives a verdict, they’re performing a ‘truth saying’ ceremony, at least in theory. The word reminds us that legal truth is something people agree to say out loud, not always the same as what actually happened. It’s truth as a social event.
“Verdict” is neutral in form but operates within legal systems that have historically excluded women and marginalized genders from juries, the bench, and full legal personhood. As a result, verdicts have sometimes reflected systemic gender bias, particularly in cases of sexual violence, property rights, and family law.
Use “verdict” neutrally, but be explicit about systemic bias when discussing legal history or outcomes that disproportionately harmed women or gender minorities.
["decision","judgment","finding"]
When describing landmark verdicts, highlight the work of women judges, lawyers, activists, and litigants whose efforts expanded gender equality under the law.
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