jurisprudence

[ joor-is-prood-ns, joor-is-prood- ]

noun

1. the science or philosophy of law.
2. a body or system of laws.
3. a department of law:

   medical jurisprudence.

4. Civil Law. decisions of courts, especially of reviewing tribunals.

jurisprudence

/ ˌdʒʊərɪspruːˈdɛnʃəl; ˌdʒʊərɪsˈpruːdəns /

noun

1. the science or philosophy of law
2. a system or body of law
3. a branch of law

   medical jurisprudence

jurisprudence

1. The philosophy of law. Jurisprudence implies creating a body of law and methods for interpreting the law, studying the relationships between law and society, and predicting the effects of legal decisions. In the United States, lawmakers, attorneys, scholars, and courts all take an active role in guiding jurisprudence.

Derived Forms

• jurisprudential, adjective
• ˌjurispruˈdentially, adverb

Other Words From

• ju·ris·pru·den·tial [j, oo, r-is-proo-, den, -sh, uh, l], adjective
• juris·pru·dential·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of jurisprudence¹

First recorded in 1620–30; from Late Latin jūrisprūdentia, jūris prūdentia “knowledge of the law” and used in the emperor Justinian’s law codes, published between a.d. 529 and 534. See jus, prudence

Word History and Origins

Origin of jurisprudence¹

C17: from Latin jūris prūdentia; see jus, prudence

Example Sentences

“It’s a deeply well researched document, reflecting Dayah’s commitment to Islamic jurisprudence,” he said.

From BBC

Then some 90 minutes before Roberson’s scheduled execution, the House criminal jurisprudence committee secured a temporary restraining order against the state, forcing it to hit pause on the procedure.

From BBC

Newby said the participation requirement argued by the plaintiffs’ attorneys “has no foundation in this Court’s jurisprudence.”

From Seattle Times

Yesterday’s message from the rightwing justices of the Supreme Court, particularly the male justices, was shocking to any believer in true, conservative jurisprudence and the rule of law.

From Salon

“He arrived at the intersection of American history, where he put a quarter in the parking meter of destiny, leaving the car, looking to avoid stepping in the urine puddle of jurisprudence.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• act
• case
• charge
• charter
• code
• constitution
• decision
• decree
• legislation
• mandate
• measure
• order
• precedent
• regulation
• requirement
• ruling
• statute