Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun
- the right, power, or authority to administer justice by hearing and determining controversies.
- power; authority; control: He has jurisdiction over all American soldiers in the area.
- the extent or range of judicial, law enforcement, or other authority: This case comes under the jurisdiction of the local police.
- the territory over which authority is exercised: All islands to the northwest are his jurisdiction.
noun
- the right or power to administer justice and to apply laws
- the exercise or extent of such right or power
- power or authority in general
early 14c. “administration of justice” (attested from mid-13c. in Anglo-Latin), from Old French juridiccion (13c.) and directly from Latin iurisdictionem (nominative iurisdictio) “administration of justice, jurisdiction,” from ius (genitive iuris; see jurist) “right, law” + dictio “a saying” (see diction). Meaning “extent or range of administrative power” is from late 14c. Related: Jurisdictional.