jus
UK[ʒuː]US[dʒʌs]
n
Law or a principle of right and justice, especially as applied in a court of law.
n
A legal right, power, or authority.
Etymology
The English word 'jus' is a direct borrowing from Latin, where it meant 'law' or 'right'. In Latin, it is a simplex term, not a compound. It is related to the Latin verb 'iurare', meaning 'to swear' or 'to take an oath', which connects the concept of law to solemn, binding declarations. The term entered English legal vocabulary to denote a specific principle of equity or a legal right, distinguishing it from 'lex', which refers to a specific statute or written law. Its journey from a broad Latin concept to a precise English legal term illustrates the direct adoption of specialized vocabulary from Roman law.
Analysis
The word is a simplex loanword from Latin. It cannot be meaningfully segmented into smaller, independent morphemes within its current English spelling.
Examples
The court's decision was based on the principle of jus gentium, the law of nations.
He argued that the government's action violated a fundamental jus of the citizens.
The concept of jus ad bellum concerns the justification for going to war.