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justice

 - 8 dictionary results

jus⋅tice

  [juhs-tis]
Use justice in a Sentence
–noun
1. the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness: to uphold the justice of a cause.
2. rightfulness or lawfulness, as of a claim or title; justness of ground or reason: to complain with justice.
3. the moral principle determining just conduct.
4. conformity to this principle, as manifested in conduct; just conduct, dealing, or treatment.
5. the administering of deserved punishment or reward.
6. the maintenance or administration of what is just by law, as by judicial or other proceedings: a court of justice.
7. judgment of persons or causes by judicial process: to administer justice in a community.
8. a judicial officer; a judge or magistrate.
9. (initial capital letter) Also called Justice Department. the Department of Justice.
—Idioms
10. bring to justice, to cause to come before a court for trial or to receive punishment for one's misdeeds: The murderer was brought to justice.
11. do justice,
a. to act or treat justly or fairly.
b. to appreciate properly: We must see this play again to do it justice.
c. to acquit in accordance with one's abilities or potentialities: He finally got a role in which he could do himself justice as an actor.
Origin:
1150–1200; ME < OF < L jūstitia, equiv. to jūst(us) just 1 + -itia -ice

Related forms:
jus⋅tice⋅less, adjective

Jus⋅tice

  [juhs-tis]
–noun
1. Donald, born 1925, U.S. poet.
2. a town in NE Illinois. 10,552.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To justice
jus·tice   (jŭs'tĭs)   
n.  

  1. The quality of being just; fairness.

    1. The principle of moral rightness; equity.

    2. Conformity to moral rightness in action or attitude; righteousness.

    3. The upholding of what is just, especially fair treatment and due reward in accordance with honor, standards, or law.

    4. Law The administration and procedure of law.

    5. A judge.

    6. A justice of the peace.

    1. The upholding of what is just, especially fair treatment and due reward in accordance with honor, standards, or law.

    2. Law The administration and procedure of law.

    3. A judge.

    4. A justice of the peace.

  4. Conformity to truth, fact, or sound reason: The overcharged customer was angry, and with justice.

  5. Abbr. J. Law

    1. A judge.

    2. A justice of the peace.


[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin iūstitia, from iūstus, just; see just1.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

Justice

A figure in painting and sculpture that symbolizes the impartiality of true justice. The figure of Justice usually appears as a blindfolded woman with a scale in one hand and a sword in the other.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

justice 
1140, "the exercise of authority in vindication of right by assigning reward or punishment," from O.Fr. justise, from L. justitia "righteousness, equity," from justus "upright, just" (see just (adj.)). The O.Fr. word had widespread senses, including "uprightness, equity, vindication of right, court of justice, judge." The word began to be used in Eng. c.1200 as a title for a judicial officer. Meaning "the administration of law" is from 1303. Justice of the peace first attested 1320. In the Mercian hymns, L. justitia is glossed by O.E. rehtwisnisse.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: jus·tice
Pronunciation: 'j&s-t&s
Function: noun
Etymology: Old French, from Latin justitia, from justus just
1 a : the quality of being just, impartial, or fair justice or injustice…of these laws —Scott v. Sanford, 60 U.S. 393 (1857)> b : the principle or ideal of just dealing; also : conformity to the principle or ideal of just dealing
2 a : the administration of law justice>; especially : the establishment or determination of rights according to law or equity justice> b : fair, just, or impartial legal process justice —G. Railroad Winters>
3 : JUDGE; especially : a judge of an appellate court or court of last resort (as a supreme court) justices and threats of civil disobedience were bandied freely —Railroad H. Bork>
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Bible Dictionary

Justice

is rendering to every one that which is his due. It has been distinguished from equity in this respect, that while justice means merely the doing what positive law demands, equity means the doing of what is fair and right in every separate case.

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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Idioms & Phrases

justice

see do justice to; miscarriage of justice; poetic justice.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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