justice

Definition

The state or characteristic of being just or fair.

Etymology

From Middle English justice, from Old French justise, justice (Modern French justice), from Latin iūstitia (“righteousness, equity”), from iūstus (“just”), from iūs (“right”), from Proto-Italic *jowos, perhaps literally "sacred formula", a word peculiar to Latin (not general Italic) that originated in the religious cults, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂yew-. Doublet of Justitia. Partly displaced native Old English rihtwīsnes (Modern English righteousness < rightwiseness).

Example Sentences

• "the justice of a description"
• "This even-handed justice / Commends the ingredients of our poisoned chalice / To our own lips."
• "God recognized the justice of the moon's plea and compensated for its diminution by promising that only the moon would be seen both day and night."

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