The word "sentenced" is spelled with a C and not an S because the sound that the C makes (/s/) fits better in the word. The IPA phonetic transcription for "sentenced" is /ˈsɛn.tənst/, where the first sound is an "s" followed by a short "e" sound, then a "n" sound, another short "e" sound, a "t" sound, and finally a soft "d" sound. This word is commonly used in legal contexts to refer to the punishment given to a guilty person after a trial.
Sentenced refers to the act of formally passing a legal punishment or penalty on a person who has been found guilty of a crime. When a person is sentenced, they are subject to the judgment and decision rendered by a court of law or a judicial authority. This can occur after a criminal trial, where the accused has been found guilty by a judge or jury, or it can also result from a plea bargain or guilty plea by the defendant.
The sentence imposed on an individual usually consists of various elements, which may include but are not limited to, fines, imprisonment, probation, restitution, community service, or a combination of these. The specific nature and severity of the sentence are generally determined by several factors, including the seriousness of the offense, aggravating or mitigating circumstances, the defendant's criminal history, and any applicable sentencing guidelines.
Once a person is sentenced, they are required to serve the imposed punishment as directed by the court. This often involves being incarcerated in a prison, paying a fine, abiding by certain conditions on probation, or fulfilling other obligations set forth in the sentence. In some cases, individuals may have the opportunity to appeal their sentence or apply for early release through parole or other means, depending on the legal system of the jurisdiction in question.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "sentenced" traces its etymology back to the Latin word "sententia", which means "opinion" or "thought". In ancient Roman times, "sententia" referred to a judgment or decision made by a judge. From there, it evolved into the Old French word "sentence", carrying the same meaning. In Middle English, the term transformed into "sentens" and eventually became "sentence" in modern English, signifying a judicial decision or punishment imposed by a court. The verb form "sentenced" came into existence in the 15th century, reflecting the action of imposing a sentence on a person found guilty of a crime.