just-war
UK[ˈdʒʌst wɔː]US[ˈdʒʌst wɔr]
n
A war that is considered morally or theologically justifiable according to defined criteria, such as being waged for a righteous cause, as a last resort, and with proportionality.
Morpheme Breakdown
just
war
just
adjective
war
noun
Etymology
The compound term "just-war" is a modern philosophical and theological construct, though its conceptual roots are ancient. The adjective "just" originates from the Latin ius, meaning "law" or "right," evolving through iustus to signify conformity to moral and legal standards. The noun "war" has Germanic origins, entering English from Old North French werre, related to widespread terms for large-scale conflict. The fusion of these elements in medieval Christian scholarship, notably by thinkers like Augustine and Aquinas, created a specific doctrinal term. It logically applies the ancient ideal of justice ("what is right") to the realm of armed conflict, seeking to define the conditions under which warfare transitions from mere violence to a potentially legitimate moral action.
Analysis
Structure: just (adjective) + war (noun)
just: From Latin iustus (righteous, lawful). Functions as an adjective modifying the noun 'war'.
war: From Old English werre (conflict, strife), via Old North French. Functions as the core noun.
Examples
The bishop argued that the invasion did not meet the traditional criteria for a just-war.
Philosophers have debated the principles of just-war theory for centuries.
The concept of a just-war is often invoked to distinguish between aggression and legitimate self-defense.