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

A federal grand jury in New York indicted the quintet on Tuesday, each on a single felony count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances resulting in death, according to court documents filed in the U.S.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The indictment named 13 witnesses who testified before the criminal grand jury, including a city council member, the city’s economic development director, a former council member and a former city manager.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“The jury’s verdict makes it clear: Personal beliefs don’t justify breaking the law,” Herb Frerichs, general counsel for Petaluma Poultry, said in a statement.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The jury has now been dismissed until Monday.

Read more on BBC

The case was heard by a judge sitting without a jury at Belfast Crown Court and lasted five weeks.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• board 
• tribunal