Jury
Etymology
From Anglo-French “juree,” from Latin “jurata” (a sworn body or oath), from “jurare” (to swear), from “jus” (law, right) — the same root behind “just,” “justice,” and “perjury.” A jury is, at its core, simply “the sworn.”
noun · /JOOR-ee/
A group of ordinary citizens sworn to weigh the evidence in a case and reach a verdict.
What it names
The device that hands a legal judgment to a panel of laypeople rather than a professional — reach for it to name the civic duty and the check on state power both at once.
Example
After three days of deliberation, the jury of twelve returned a unanimous verdict.
Related idea
Two juries do different jobs: a grand jury only decides whether there is enough evidence to charge someone (an indictment), while a trial jury — or petit jury — decides guilt or liability at the trial itself.