n. 1. Law The right of a court to hear a particular case, based on the scope of its authority over the type of case and the parties to the case. 2. a. Authority or control: islands under US jurisdiction; a bureau with jurisdiction over Native American affairs. b. The extent of authority or control: a family matter beyond the school's jurisdiction. 3. The territorial range of authority or control. [Middle English jurisdiccioun, from Old French juridicion, from Latin iūrisdictiō, iūrisdictiōn- : iūris, genitive of iūs, law; see yewes- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots + dictiō, dictiōn-, declaration (from dictus, past participle of dīcere, to say; see deik- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots).] ju′ris·diction·al adj. ju′ris·diction·al·ly adv. |
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