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

/ ˌdʒʊərɪsˈpruːdəns; ˌdʒʊərɪspruːˈdɛnʃəl /

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

• ˌjurispruˈdentially, adverb
• jurisprudential, adjective

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

Gun violence has been one of the main topics of conversation of anyone talking jurisprudence throughout the country.

From Vox

Meanwhile, the Federal Elections Bill, or Lodge Bill, to oversee Southern elections failed in the summer of 1890, effectively closing the last window for national voting rights jurisprudence for decades to come.

From Vox

The degree he received was a doctorate in law, though his studies suggest interests beyond jurisprudence.

From TIme

It was this understanding that largely animated the jurisprudence of the Warren court and of the liberal justices in the years since.

From Washington Post

Brennan held that his faith did not impact his jurisprudence.

From Washington Post

To put it charitably, this is the jurisprudence of the simpleton.

From The Daily Beast

This is hardly conservative jurisprudence: leaving a mess of uncertainty, followed by a mess of lawsuits.

From The Daily Beast

Both are forbidden by both biblical and modern American jurisprudence.

From The Daily Beast

This decision turned the trial of Whitey Bulger into one of the most lopsided cases in the history of jurisprudence.

From The Daily Beast

Unwittingly, the Ukrainian-born, German POW and death camp guard reversed over 140 years of German jurisprudence.

From The Daily Beast

He wrote on law, medical jurisprudence and political economy, and translated Justinian and Broussais.

From Project Gutenberg

Their reason for altering this plan and sending Peter to the School of Jurisprudence has not transpired.

From Project Gutenberg

Peter Ilich was too young to pass straight into the School of Jurisprudence.

From Project Gutenberg

At a later day the office was filled by Mr. Charles Austin, the distinguished writer on Jurisprudence.

From Project Gutenberg

In the departments of medicine and jurisprudence there are three degrees; those of Bachelor, Licentiate, and Doctor.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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