Justice

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈdÊ’ÊŒs.tɪs/

Origin

From Middle English justice from Old French justise, justice (Modern French justice), from Latin iustitia 'righteousness, equity', from iustus "just", from ius 'right', from Old Latin ious, perhaps literally "sacred formula", a word peculiar to Latin (not general Italic) that originated in the religious cults, from Proto-Indo-European *yews-. Replaced native Middle English rightwished, rightwisnes "justice" (from Old English rihtwīsnes "justice, righteousness", compare Old English ġerihte "justice").

Full definition of justice

Noun

1. The state or characteristic of being just or fair.the justice of a description
• ShakespeareThis even-handed justice
  Commends the ingredients of our poisoned chalice
  To our own lips.
2. The ideal of fairness, impartiality, etc., especially with regard to the punishment of wrongdoing.Justice was served.
3. Judgment and punishment of a party who has allegedly wronged another.to demand justice
4. The civil power dealing with law.Ministry of Justicethe justice system
5. A judge of certain courts. Also capitalized as a title.''Mr. Justice Krever presides over the appellate court
6. Correctness, conforming to reality or rules.

Antonyms

• injustice

Derived terms

Related terms