- Today's Word
Jurisprudence
jurisprudence
joor-is-PROO-dens
Definition
(noun) The theory or philosophy of law.
Example
The professor’s lectures focused on classical and modern jurisprudence.
Word Origin
Early 17th century: from late Latin jurisprudentia, from Latin jus, jur- ‘law’ + prudentia ‘knowledge’.
Fun Fact
Jurisprudence isn’t just about laws—it’s about why laws exist, how they’re interpreted, and what they should achieve. It’s a cornerstone of legal education and is often divided into schools of thought: natural law, legal positivism, critical legal theory, and more. While lawyers practice law, jurisprudence is for those who want to debate the very foundations of justice.