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.

Other Word Forms

• jurisprudential adjective
• jurisprudentially 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

Enter Robert P. George, a professor of jurisprudence at Princeton and one of the country’s most respected conservative scholars.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A devout Christian and church leader, he speaks openly about how his faith has shaped his jurisprudence and administration of the courts.

Read more on Salon

Though he agreed with Black’s definition of rebellion, Segall rejected the idea it could shape jurisprudence: “That’s not how our legal system works,” he said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Legal scholars, however, say the recent criticism of provisional sentences ignores more than a decade of legislation and jurisprudence aimed at toughening up a legal system that can take years to reach a final verdict.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Yet to the extent we have an imperial presidency and emasculated Congress, it is a function of our politics—not Supreme Court jurisprudence.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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