01 n. The quality of being just; conformity to the principles of righteousness and rectitude in all things; strict performance of moral obligatio…
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1.
The quality of being just; conformity to the principles of righteousness and rectitude in all things; strict performance of moral obligations; practical conformity to human or divine law; integrity in the dealings of men with each other; rectitude; equity; uprightness.“Justice and judgment are the haditation of thy throne.” — Ps. ixxxix. 11.“The king-becoming graces, As justice, verity, temperance, stableness, . . . I have no relish of them.” — Shak.
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2.
Conformity to truth and reality in expressing opinions and in conduct; fair representation of facts respecting merit or demerit; honesty; fidelity; impartiality; as, the justice of a description or of a judgment; historical justice.
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3.
The rendering to every one his due or right; just treatment; requital of desert; merited reward or punishment; that which is due to one's conduct or motives.“This even-handed justice Commends the ingredients of our poisoned chalice To our own lips.” — Shak.
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4.
Agreeableness to right; equity; justness; as, the justice of a claim.
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5.
A person duly commissioned to hold courts, or to try and decide controversies and administer justice.
Phrases & compounds
Bed of justice —
See under Bed.
Chief justice —
See in the Vocabulary.
Justice of the peace —
a judicial officer or subordinate magistrate appointed for the conservation of the peace in a specified district, with other incidental powers specified in his commission. In the United States a justice of the peace has jurisdiction to adjudicate certain minor cases, commit offenders, officiate at marriages, etc.; abbreviated JP.
Syn.
Equity; law; right; rectitude; honesty; integrity; uprightness; fairness; impartiality.