Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

justiciary

noun
jus·​ti·​ci·​ary | \ ˌjəˈstishēˌerē, -ri\
plural -es

Definition of justiciary

1 : the jurisdiction of a justiciar or of the High Court of Justiciary which consists of original and appellate jurisdiction in serious criminal cases and appellate jurisdiction from sheriff's decisions in civil matters in the small-debts court
2 [ Medieval Latin justiciarius, justitiarius ] : justiciar

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for justiciary

Middle English justiciarie, from Medieval Latin justiciaria, justitiaria, from Latin justitia justice + -aria -ary

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about justiciary

Statistics for justiciary

Look-up Popularity

Comments on justiciary

What made you want to look up justiciary? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

resurrection

Listen to the pronounciation of resurrection

an act or instance of returning to life

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words from Greek and Latin Quiz

  • roman forum
  • Which of the following months comes from a Latin word for “ten”?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games