corpus juris canonici: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Academic, Technical, Historical, Ecclesiastical
Quick answer
What does “corpus juris canonici” mean?
The body of ecclesiastical (canon) law of the Roman Catholic Church.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The body of ecclesiastical (canon) law of the Roman Catholic Church.
Specifically refers to the official compilation of canon law in force from 1917 until the 1983 Code of Canon Law replaced it. In a broader, historical context, the term can refer to the totality of canon law, especially the comprehensive collections compiled in the Middle Ages.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
There is no significant variation in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation follow the original Latin, which is consistent across both variants.
Connotations
Carries strong connotations of scholasticism, medieval history, Roman Catholicism, and specialized legal scholarship in both regions.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general discourse. Frequency is identical in UK and US academic/ecclesiastical circles.
Grammar
How to Use “corpus juris canonici” in a Sentence
The Corpus Juris Canonici was...according to the Corpus Juris Canonicia provision in the Corpus Juris CanoniciVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “corpus juris canonici” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- This concept is not used as a verb.
American English
- This concept is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- This concept is not used as an adverb.
American English
- This concept is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Corpus Juris Canonici provisions were complex.
- A Corpus Juris Canonici scholar.
American English
- Corpus Juris Canonici principles were foundational.
- A Corpus Juris Canonici expert.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Used in history, theology, and law departments when discussing medieval institutions or Catholic Church history.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used by canon lawyers, ecclesiastical historians, and theologians to refer to the pre-1983 legal system of the Catholic Church.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “corpus juris canonici”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “corpus juris canonici”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “corpus juris canonici”
- Mispronouncing 'canonici' as 'canon-icky'.
- Using it as a common noun without capitalisation when referring to the specific 1917 code.
- Confusing it with the 'Corpus Juris Civilis' (Roman civil law).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It was replaced in 1983 by the current Code of Canon Law. It is now a historical source.
Yes, when referring to the specific, official 1917 compilation, it is a proper noun and is capitalised: Corpus Juris Canonici.
Corpus Juris Civilis is the foundational body of Roman civil law compiled under Emperor Justinian. Corpus Juris Canonici is the body of church (canon) law.
Almost never. It is highly specialised vocabulary relevant only to specific fields of academic or ecclesiastical study.
The body of ecclesiastical (canon) law of the Roman Catholic Church.
Corpus juris canonici is usually academic, technical, historical, ecclesiastical in register.
Corpus juris canonici: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɔː.pʊs ˌdʒʊə.rɪs kəˌnɒn.ɪˈsiː.aɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɔːr.pəs ˌdʒʊr.ɪs kəˌnɑː.nɪˈsaɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. It is a fixed, technical term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CORPSE (corpus) of a JUDGE (juris) who is a CANON (canonici) in the church, representing the 'body of the law of the canons'.
Conceptual Metaphor
BODY OF LAW (Corpus = body; the law is conceptualised as a complete, living organism with interconnected parts).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'Corpus Juris Canonici' primarily refer to?