adjudication

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

adjudication
    n 1: the final judgment in a legal proceeding; the act of
         pronouncing judgment based on the evidence presented

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Adjudication \Ad*ju`di*ca"tion\, n. [L. adjudicatio: cf. F.
   adjudication.]
   1. The act of adjudicating; the act or process of trying and
      determining judicially.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A deliberate determination by the judicial power; a
      judicial decision or sentence. "An adjudication in favor
      of natural rights." --Burke.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. (Bankruptcy practice) The decision upon the question
      whether the debtor is a bankrupt. --Abbott.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. (Scots Law) A process by which land is attached security
      or in satisfaction of a debt.
      [1913 Webster]

from Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)

ADJUDICATION, in practice. The giving or pronouncing a judgment in a cause;
a judgment.