Jurisprudence

jurisprudence
    n 1: the branch of philosophy concerned with the law and the
         principles that lead courts to make the decisions they do
         [syn: {jurisprudence}, {law}, {legal philosophy}]
    2: the collection of rules imposed by authority; "civilization
       presupposes respect for the law"; "the great problem for
       jurisprudence to allow freedom while enforcing order" [syn:
       {law}, {jurisprudence}]
    

Jurisprudence \Ju`ris*pru"dence\, n. [L. jurisprudentia; jus,
   juris, right, law + prudentia a foreseeing, knowledge of a
   matter, prudence: cf. F. jurisprudence. See {Just}, a., and
   {Prudence}.]
   The science of juridical law; the knowledge of the laws,
   customs, and rights of men in a state or community, necessary
   for the due administration of justice.
   [1913 Webster]

         The talents of Abelard were not confined to theology,
         jurisprudence, philosophy.               --J. Warton.
   [1913 Webster]

   {Medical jurisprudence}, that branch of juridical law which
      concerns questions of medicine.
      [1913 Webster]
    

JURISPRUDENCE. The science of the law. By science here, is understood that 
connexion of truths which is founded on principles either evident in 
themselves, or capable of demonstration; a collection of truths of the same 
kind, arranged in methodical order. In a more confined sense, jurisprudence 
is the practical science of giving a wise interpretation to the laws, and 
making a just application of them to all cases as they arise. In this sense, 
it is the habit of judging the same questions in the same manner, and by 
this course of judgments forming precedents. 1 Ayl. Pand. 3 Toull. Dr. Civ. 
Fr. tit. prel. s. 1, n. 1, 12, 99; Merl. Rep. h.t.; 19 Amer. Jurist, 3.