opinion

plural opinions

1. countableuncountableA belief, judgment or perspective that a person has formed, either through objective or subjective reasoning, about a topic, issue, person or thing.

   Every man is a fool in some man's opinion.

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   I would like to know your opinions on the new filing system.

   In my opinion, white chocolate is better than milk chocolate.

   We invite you to state your opinions about the suggestions.

   Truth, in matters of religion, is simply the opinion that has survived.

   1891, Oscar Wilde, The Critic as Artist

   Synonyms: conclusion, piece, sentiment, sight, take, verdict, view, award

2. countableuncountableThe judgment or sentiment which the mind forms of persons or things; estimation.

   I haue bought / Golden Opinions from all ſorts of people, […]

   c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene vii], page 135, column 1, line 32

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   Friendship […] gives a man a peculiar right and claim to the good opinion of his friend.

   1692–1717, Robert South, Twelve Sermons Preached upon Several Occasions, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London

   Synonyms: assessment, esteem, regard

3. countableobsoleteuncountableFavorable estimation; hence, consideration; reputation; fame; public sentiment or esteem.

   Thou haſt redeemed thy loſt opinion, […]

   c. 1597 (date written), [William Shakespeare], The History of Henrie the Fourth; […], quarto edition, London: […] P[eter] S[hort] for Andrew Wise, […], published 1598, →OCLC, [Act V, scene iv], signature K2, verso

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   This gain’d Agricola much opinion; who […] had made ſuch early progreſs into laborious […] enterpriſes.

   1670, John Milton, “The Second Book”, in The History of Britain, that Part Especially now Call’d England. […], London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for James Allestry, […] , →OCLC, page 70

4. countableobsoleteuncountableObstinacy in holding to one's belief or impression; opiniativeness; conceitedness.

   […] your reaſons at Dinner haue been ſharpe & ſententious: pleaſant without ſcurillitie, wittie without affection, audatious without impudencie, learned without opinion, and ſtrange without hereſie: […]

   c. 1595–1596 (date written), W. Shakespere [i.e., William Shakespeare], A Pleasant Conceited Comedie Called, Loues Labors Lost. […] (First Quarto), London: […] W[illiam] W[hite] for Cut[h]bert Burby, published 1598, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i]

   Synonyms: dogmatism

5. countableuncountableThe formal decision, or expression of views, of a judge, an umpire, a doctor, or other party officially called upon to consider and decide upon a matter or point submitted.

   Synonyms: decision, judgment, order, ruling

6. European UnioncountableuncountablelawA judicial opinion delivered by an Advocate General to the European Court of Justice where he or she proposes a legal solution to the cases for which the court is responsible.

present singular third person opinions · participle present opinioning · participle past opinioned · past opinioned

1. archaictransitiveTo have or express as an opinion.

   But if (as some opinion) King Ahasuerus were Artaxerxes Mnemon[…], our magnified Cyrus was his second Brother […]

   1658, Thomas Browne, “(please specify the page)”, in Hydriotaphia, Urne-buriall, […] Together with The Garden of Cyrus, […], London: […] Hen[ry] Brome […], →OCLC

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   Philoſophers that opinioned the vvorlds deſtruction by fire, did never dreame of annihilation, vvhich is beyond the povver of ſublunary cauſes; for the laſt and proper action of that element [fire] is but vitrification, or a reduction of a body into Glaſſe, and therefore ſome of our Chymicks factiouſly affirme; yea, and urge Scripture for it, that at the laſt fire all ſhall be cryſtallized and reverberated into Glaſſe, vvhich is the utmoſt action of that element.

   1642, Tho[mas] Browne, “The First Part”, in Religio Medici. […], 4th edition, London: […] E. Cotes for Andrew Crook […], published 1656, →OCLC, page 97