Ius

Ius or Jus (Latin, plural iura) etymologically means "that which is binding" and comes from the same root as iungere, "to join." In ancient Rome it was used primarily to mean a right to which a citizen (civis) was entitled by virtue of his citizenship (civitas). The iura were specified by laws (leges, also from "to bind," ligare), so ius sometimes meant law. As one went to the law courts to sue for one's rights, ius also meant justice and the place where justice was sought.