jury

¹

[joor-ee]

noun

plural

juries 

1. a group of persons sworn to render a verdict or true answer on a question or questions officially submitted to them.

2. such a group selected according to law and sworn to inquire into or determine the facts concerning a cause or an accusation submitted to them and to render a verdict to a court.

3. a group of persons chosen to adjudge prizes, awards, etc., as in a competition.

verb (used with object)

juried, jurying 

1. to judge or evaluate by means of a jury.

   All entries will be juried by a panel of professionals.

jury

²

[joor-ee]

adjective

Nautical.

1. makeshift or temporary, as for an emergency.

   a jury mast.

jury

¹

/ ˈdʒʊərɪ /

noun

1. a group of, usually twelve, people sworn to deliver a true verdict according to the evidence upon a case presented in a court of law See also grand jury petit jury

2. a body of persons appointed to judge a competition and award prizes

3. informal,  it has not yet been decided or agreed on

jury

²

/ ˈdʒʊərɪ /

adjective

1. nautical (in combination) makeshift

   jury-rigged

Grammar Note

See collective noun.

Other Word Forms

• juryless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of jury¹

1250–1300; Middle English jurie, juree, < Old French juree oath, juridical inquiry, noun use of juree, feminine past participle of jurer to swear; jurat

Origin of jury²

1610–20; compare jury mast (early 17th century), of obscure origin; perhaps to be identified with late Middle English i ( u ) were help, aid, aphetic form of Old French ajurie, derivative of aidier to aid, with -rie -ry

Word History and Origins

Origin of jury¹

C14: from Old French juree, from jurer to swear; see _juror

Origin of jury²

C17: of unknown origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. the jury is (still) out, a decision, determination, or opinion has yet to be rendered.

   The jury is still out on the president's performance.

Example Sentences

Justice Department spokesman Chad Gilmartin declined to comment on grand jury matters but said the agency is “united as one team in our mission to make America safe again.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Authorities say they plan to present their case to a grand jury to consider additional charges.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

After a grand jury returns an indictment at the request of a prosecutor, the accused appears in court for their arraignment.

Read more on Salon

There are two arguments: After juries found the 37 inmates deserving of death, shouldn’t they suffer the harshest treatment short of execution?

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The jury also found that Bradford fired his weapon in the crime, and that he was a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• board 
• tribunal