English Vocabulary — Choose the closest meaning (contextual synonym). Sentence: Whatever the verdict of history may be, Chaplin will occupy a unique place in its pages.

Introduction / Context:
Historical commentary often uses judicial metaphors. “Verdict” in this figurative use means the evaluative judgment that future historians render. Your task is to select the best single-word synonym in this metaphorical frame.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Focus noun: verdict.
• Context: evaluation of Charlie Chaplin by history.
• Options: judgement, voice, outcome, prediction.

Concept / Approach:
Literally, a verdict is a legal decision/judgment. Figuratively, the “verdict of history” means history’s judgment. “Outcome” is too generic and not evaluative; “voice” is metaphorical but vague; “prediction” is forward-looking and does not fit the retrospective assessment implied by “history’s verdict.” Thus, “judgement” is the most accurate synonym.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Common collocations: “history’s judgment,” “the verdict of posterity.” Both pair “verdict” with evaluative decisions, not mere results or guesses.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• voice: Could mean opinion, but lacks decisional nuance.
• outcome: A result, not necessarily an evaluation.
• prediction: A forecast, not a retrospective judgment.

Common Pitfalls:
Equating verdict with any conclusion. The word emphasizes a decided judgment, not just any end-state or forecast.

Final Answer:
judgement