jurisprudence

[ joo r-is-prood-ns, joo r-is-prood- ]
/ ˌdʒʊər ɪsˈprud ns, ˈdʒʊər ɪsˌprud- /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR jurisprudence ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the science or philosophy of law.
a body or system of laws.
a department of law: medical jurisprudence.
Civil Law. decisions of courts, especially of reviewing tribunals.

Origin of jurisprudence

First recorded in 1620–30, jurisprudence is from the Latin word jūris prūdentia knowledge of the law. See jus, prudence

OTHER WORDS FROM jurisprudence

ju·ris·pru·den·tial [joo r-is-proo-den-shuh l] /ˌdʒʊər ɪs pruˈdɛn ʃəl/, adjective ju·ris·pru·den·tial·ly, adverb

Words nearby jurisprudence

juridical days, juried, jurisconsult, jurisdiction, jurisp., jurisprudence, jurisprudent, jurist, juristic, juristic act, juristic person

Words related to jurisprudence

case, statute, requirement, code, constitution, charter, mandate, decision, act, legislation, decree, precedent, regulation, ruling, charge, measure, order, covenant, enactment, injunction

Example sentences from the Web for jurisprudence

British Dictionary definitions for jurisprudence

jurisprudence
/ (ˌdʒʊərɪsˈpruːdəns) /

noun

the science or philosophy of law
a system or body of law
a branch of law medical jurisprudence

Derived forms of jurisprudence

jurisprudential (ˌdʒʊərɪspruːˈdɛnʃəl), adjective jurisprudentially, adverb

Word Origin for jurisprudence

C17: from Latin jūris prūdentia; see jus, prudence

Cultural definitions for jurisprudence

jurisprudence
[ (joor-is-proohd-ns) ]

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.