Question

Etymologically what is meant by Jurisprudence?

• A. Knowledge of law
• B. Science of law
• C. Science of origin
• D. Knowledge of origin

Hint:

Break down complex legal terms into their Latin or Greek roots to understand their core meaning. For Jurisprudence, remember \textit{Juris} (law) + \textit{Prudentia} (knowledge).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks for the etymological, or original, meaning of the word "Jurisprudence". This requires knowing the Latin roots of the term.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The word "Jurisprudence" is derived from the Latin term \textit{jurisprudentia}. This term can be broken down into two parts:
- \textit{Juris} which is the genitive form of \textit{jus}, meaning "law".
- \textit{Prudentia} which means "prudence", "knowledge", "skill", or "foresight".
Therefore, etymologically, jurisprudence means "the knowledge of law" or "the skill in law". It refers to the study, knowledge, and theory of law. While it is often described as the "science of law" (Option B) in modern definitions (e.g., by jurists like Holland), its original, literal meaning is "knowledge of law".
Step 3: Final Answer:
The etymological origin of Jurisprudence is from the Latin 'jurisprudentia', which literally means the knowledge of law. Therefore, option (A) is the most accurate answer.