justice

jus-tice · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    Just behavior or treatment; the quality of being fair and reasonable.

  2. 2.

    The administration of law and procedures to maintain social order.

  3. 3.

    A judge, especially of a supreme court.

  4. 4.

    The quality of being righteous.

Forms

plural: justices

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    bring to justice — punish for a crime through legal proceedings
  • •
    do justice to — treat fairly; represent accurately
  • •
    justice of the peace — a local judicial officer
  • •
    poetic justice — fitting punishment or reward
  • •
    miscarriage of justice — a failure of the justice system

Related words

Antonyms: injustice, unfairness
See also: fair, judge, just, law
Synonyms: equity, fairness, impartiality, righteousness

Etymology

From Old French "justice" (justice, legal proceedings), from Latin "justitia" (righteousness, equity), from "justus" (upright, just). The concept of justice as both an abstract ideal and a legal system has been central to Western philosophy since ancient times.