Jurisprudence - Dictionary Definition and Overview

Jurisprudence :  (noun)
1: the branch of philosophy concerned with the law and the principles that lead courts to make the decisions they do [syn: law, legal philosophy]
2: the collection of rules imposed by authority; "civilization presupposes respect for the law"; "the great problem for jurisprudence to allow freedom while enforcing order" [syn: law]

Based on WordNet 2.0

Jurisprudence : \Ju`ris*pru"dence\, n. [L. jurisprudentia; jus, juris, right, law _ prudentia a foreseeing, knowledge of a matter, prudence: cf. F. jurisprudence. See Just, a., and Prudence.] The science of juridical law; the knowledge of the laws, customs, and rights of men in a state or community, necessary for the due administration of justice.

The talents of Abelard were not confined to theology, jurisprudence, philosophy. -- J. Warton.

Medical jurisprudence, that branch of juridical law which concerns questions of medicine.

Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

JURISPRUDENCE. The science of the law. By science here, is understood that connexion of truths which is founded on principles either evident in themselves, or capable of demonstration; a collection of truths of the same kind, arranged in methodical order. In a more confined sense,Jurisprudence :  is the practical science of giving a wise interpretation to the laws, and making a just application of them to all cases as they arise. In this sense, it is the habit of judging the same questions in the same manner, and by this course of judgments forming precedents. 1 Ayl. Pand. 3 Toull. Dr. Civ. Fr. tit. prel. s. 1, n. 1, 12, 99; Merl. Rep. h.t.; 19 Amer. Jurist, 3.

Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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