JURISPRUDENCE

jurisprudence, law, legal philosophy

(noun) the branch of philosophy concerned with the law and the principles that lead courts to make the decisions they do

law, jurisprudence

(noun) the collection of rules imposed by authority; “civilization presupposes respect for the law”; “the great problem for jurisprudence to allow freedom while enforcing order”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

jurisprudence (usually uncountable, plural jurisprudences)

(legal) The theoretical study of law.

Synonym: legal theory

Source: Wiktionary

Ju`ris*pru"dence, n. Etym: [L. jurisprudentia; jus, juris, right, law + prudentia a foreseeing, knowledge of a matter, prudence: cf. F. jurisprudence. See Just, a., and Prudence.]

Definition: 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition