[ju.ris.dic.tion] n [ME jurisdiccioun, fr. MF & L; MF juridiction, fr. L jurisdiction-, jurisdictio, fr. juris + diction-, dictio act of saying--more at diction] (14c) 1: the power, right, or authority to interpret and apply the law
2. a: the authority of a sovereign power to govern or legislate b: the power or right to exercise authority: control
3: the limits or territory within which authority may be exercised syn see power -- ju.ris.dic.tion.al adj -- ju.ris.dic.tion.al.ly adv