justice

¹

[ juhs-tis ]

noun

1. the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness:

   to uphold the justice of a cause.

2. rightfulness or lawfulness, as of a claim or title; justness of ground or reason:

   to complain with justice.

3. the moral principle determining just conduct.
4. conformity to this principle, as manifested in conduct; just conduct, dealing, or treatment:

   Victims of rape and sexual assault have the right to the evidence they need to seek justice.

5. just treatment of all members of society with regard to a specified public issue, including equitable distribution of resources and participation in decision-making (usually used in combination):

   Environmental justice means that all people, regardless of race or income, have the right to a clean and healthy environment.

   A group of moms in the Bridgeton area are advocating for health justice for those living around the landfills.

   When we speak of climate justice, we demonstrate our sensitivity and resolve to secure the future of poor people from the perils of natural disasters.

6. the administering of deserved punishment or reward.
7. the maintenance or administration of what is just by law, as by judicial or other proceedings:

   a court of justice.

8. judgment of persons or causes by judicial process:

   to administer justice in a community.

9. a judge on a higher court, especially a Supreme Court:

   the nine justices on the U.S. Supreme Court.

10. a minor judicial officer or magistrate.
11. Justice. Also called Justice Department. the Department of Justice.

Justice

²

[ juhs-tis ]

noun

1. Donald, 1925–2004, U.S. poet.
2. a town in NE Illinois.

justice

/ ˈdʒʌstɪs /

noun

1. the quality or fact of being just
2. ethics
   1. the principle of fairness that like cases should be treated alike
   2. a particular distribution of benefits and burdens fairly in accordance with a particular conception of what are to count as like cases
   3. the principle that punishment should be proportionate to the offence
3. the administration of law according to prescribed and accepted principles
4. conformity to the law; legal validity
5. a judge of the Supreme Court of Judicature
6. short for justice of the peace
7. good reason (esp in the phrase with justice )

   he was disgusted by their behaviour, and with justice

8. do justice to
   1. to show to full advantage

      the picture did justice to her beauty

   2. to show full appreciation of by action

      he did justice to the meal

   3. to treat or judge fairly
9. do oneself justice
   to make full use of one's abilities
10. bring to justice
    to capture, try, and usually punish (a criminal, an outlaw, etc)

Justice

1. A figure in painting and sculpture that symbolizes the impartiality of true justice. The figure of Justice usually appears as a blindfolded woman with a scale in one hand and a sword in the other.

Other Words From

• jus·tice·less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of justice¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin jūstitia, equivalent to jūst(us) just ¹ + -itia -ice

Word History and Origins

Origin of justice¹

C12: from Old French, from Latin jūstitia, from justus just

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. bring to justice, to cause to come before a court for trial or to receive punishment for one's misdeeds:

   The murderer was brought to justice.

2. do justice,
   1. to act or treat justly or fairly.
   2. to appreciate properly:

      We must see this play again to do it justice.

   3. to acquit in accordance with one's abilities or potential:

      He finally got a role in which he could do himself justice as an actor.

More idioms and phrases containing justice

see do justice to ; miscarriage of justice ; poetic justice .

Related Words

• authority
• due process
• honesty
• integrity
• law
• right
• truth