codex juris canonici: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Academic / Legal / Ecclesiastical / Technical
Quick answer
What does “codex juris canonici” mean?
The official, comprehensive compilation of the laws of the Roman Catholic Church, often abbreviated to the Code of Canon Law.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The official, comprehensive compilation of the laws of the Roman Catholic Church, often abbreviated to the Code of Canon Law.
Specifically refers to the 1917 code (the first comprehensive modern codification), though the term is sometimes used more broadly or historically to refer to systematic collections of canon law. It was superseded by the 1983 Codex Iuris Canonici.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling remains the Latin original.
Connotations
None. Usage is identical and confined to the same specialised fields in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both, used almost exclusively within Roman Catholic canon law, theology, and related historical studies.
Grammar
How to Use “codex juris canonici” in a Sentence
[The] Codex Juris Canonici + verb (states, provides, regulates)according to + Codex Juris Canoniciunder + Codex Juris Canonici + noun (canon, law)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “codex juris canonici” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The commission worked for years to codify and later to reform the *Codex Juris Canonici*.
American English
- Scholars continue to analyze how the 1983 code reformed the *Codex Juris Canonici*.
adjective
British English
- His thesis focused on the pre-Codex Juris Canonici canonical tradition.
American English
- The Codex Juris Canonici era formally ended in 1983.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in theological, historical, and legal studies focusing on Roman Catholic Church law, particularly its modern history.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term in canonical circles, used to refer specifically to the 1917 code, often in contrast to the 1983 revision.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “codex juris canonici”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “codex juris canonici”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “codex juris canonici”
- Mispronouncing 'Canonici' as /ˈkænənɪsi/ instead of /kəˈnɒnɪsaɪ/ or /kəˈnɑːnɪsaɪ/.
- Using it to refer to the current (1983) Code of Canon Law.
- Treating it as a common noun and writing it in lower case ('codex juris canonici').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the 1917 Codex Juris Canonici was abrogated and replaced by the 1983 Codex Iuris Canonici (Code of Canon Law). It is now of historical and interpretive significance.
'Iuris' and 'Juris' are simply Latin spelling variants (classical vs. medieval/modern). The 1917 code is traditionally spelled with a 'J', while the 1983 code officially uses the classical 'I'.
Almost exclusively in academic studies of canon law, Catholic theology, church history, or legal history. It is not a term used in everyday conversation or general writing.
The most common anglicised pronunciation stresses the third word: /... kəˈnɒnɪsaɪ/ (UK) or /... kəˈnɑːnɪsaɪ/ (US). 'Juris' is pronounced like 'jurisdiction' without the '-diction'.
The official, comprehensive compilation of the laws of the Roman Catholic Church, often abbreviated to the Code of Canon Law.
Codex juris canonici is usually academic / legal / ecclesiastical / technical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CODEX' like an ancient book, 'JURIS' for law/jurisdiction, 'CANONICI' for church canons. It's the official book of Catholic church law.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE LAW IS A TEXT / A BOOK. The entire body of law is conceptualised as a single, codified, physical volume.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'Codex Juris Canonici' specifically refer to?