First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1jury
noun ju·ry \ˈju̇r-ē\
: a group of people who are members of the public and are chosen to make a decision in a legal case
: a group of people who decide the winners in a contest
plural juries
Full Definition of JURY
1
: a body of persons sworn to give a verdict on some matter submitted to them; especially : a body of persons legally selected and sworn to inquire into any matter of fact and to give their verdict according to the evidence
2
: a committee for judging and awarding prizes at a contest or exhibition
3
: one (as the public or test results) that will decide —used especially in the phrase the jury is still out
See jury defined for English-language learners
See jury defined for kids
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Origin of JURY
Middle English jure, from Anglo-French juree, from jurer to swear, from Latin jurare, from jur-, jus
Other Legal Terms
2jury
adjective
Definition of JURY
: improvised for temporary use especially in an emergency : makeshift <a jury mast> <a jury rig>
Origin of JURY
Middle English jory (in jory saile improvised sail)
First Known Use: 15th century
3jury
verb
jur·iedjury·ing
Definition of JURY
transitive verb
: to select material as appropriate for exhibition in (as an art show) —used chiefly as a participle <a juried show>
Origin of JURY
1jury
First Known Use: 1947
JURIES Defined for Kids
jury
noun ju·ry \ˈju̇r-ē\
plural juries
Definition of JURY for Kids
1
: a group of citizens chosen to hear and decide the facts of a case in a court of law
2
: a committee that judges and awards prizes (as at an exhibition)
Word Root of JURY
The Latin word jus, meaning “law” or “rights,” and its form juris give us the roots jus and jur. Words from the Latin jus have something to do with law. A juror is a person who decides the facts of a case in a court of law. A jury is a group of jurors. When a decision in a court is just, it is fair and right and agrees with the law. Even the first two letters of judge, to form an opinion about whether something follows the law and is right, come from jus.
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