Dictionary.com

jurisprudence

[ joor-is-prood-ns, joor-is-prood- ]
/ ˌdʒʊər ɪsˈprud ns, ˈdʒʊər ɪsˌprud- /
Save This Word!
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.
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.
who
whom
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of jurisprudence

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

OTHER WORDS FROM jurisprudence

ju·ris·pru·den·tial [joor-is-proo-den-shuhl], /ˌdʒʊər ɪs pruˈdɛn ʃəl/, adjectiveju·ris·pru·den·tial·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to jurisprudence

act, case, charge, charter, code, constitution, decision, decree, legislation, mandate, measure, order, precedent, regulation, requirement, ruling, statute, assize, behest, bidding

How to use jurisprudence in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for jurisprudence

jurisprudence
/ (ˌdʒʊərɪsˈpruːdəns) /
noun
the science or philosophy of law
a system or body of law
a branch of lawmedical jurisprudence

Derived forms of jurisprudence

jurisprudential (ˌdʒʊərɪspruːˈdɛnʃəl), adjectivejurisprudentially, adverb

Word Origin for jurisprudence

C17: from Latin jūris prūdentia; see jus, prudence
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
FEEDBACK