1. Expressing much in few words: This is the most common meaning. A sententious statement is concise, pithy, and full of meaning. It often uses aphorisms, proverbs, or other memorable sayings.
Example: "The sententious advice of the wise old man left a lasting impression on the young man."
2. Characterized by moralizing or being overly self-important: This meaning is slightly negative. A sententious person is often seen as pompous, preachy, or self-righteous. They tend to express their opinions as if they are absolute truths, even if they are not.
Example: "The politician's sententious speech was full of empty promises and platitudes."
3. (Archaic) In some older texts, "sententious" simply means full of sentences or expressing itself in sentences.
Here are some key points to remember:
* Positive: "Sententious" can be a positive term when used to describe someone who is wise and able to express profound ideas concisely.
* Negative: "Sententious" can be a negative term when used to describe someone who is pompous and preachy.
* Context is key: The context of the sentence will usually determine which meaning of "sententious" is intended.
If you're unsure which meaning of "sententious" is intended, it's always best to check the context or look for other clues in the text.