sentiment Hear it!

sentiment definition

sen·ti·ment (sentə mənt)

noun

  1. a complex combination of feelings and opinions as a basis for action or judgment; general emotionalized attitude the sentiment of romantic love
  2. a thought, opinion, judgment, or attitude, usually the result of careful consideration, but often colored with emotion: often used in pl.
  3. susceptibility to feeling or to emotional appeal; sensibility
  4. appeal to the emotions in literature or art; expression of delicate, sensitive feeling
  5. sentimentality; maudlin emotion
  6. a short sentence or aphorism expressing some thought or wish, as in a toast
  7. the thought or meaning behind something said, done, or given, as distinct from the literal statement, act, etc.

Etymology: ME sentement < OFr < ML sentimentum < L sentire, to feel, sense

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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