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

While the company disagrees with the jury award, it wasn’t able to post a bond while it appealed, Chief Executive Philip Cotton said in a document filed Sunday.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"As far as everything I've seen, a different attorney could bring James' case to a new grand jury and get a new indictment," said Ms Levine.

Read more on BBC

The jury returned a verdict after three hours of deliberation.

Read more on BBC

The Angels pared down their witness list at the request of Judge H. Shaina Colover, who has insisted the case go to the jury by Dec. 15.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

During the trial the jury were told 150 people had been attending a community event in St Pauls on 21 July.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• board 
• tribunal