Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - jurisdiction

 noun  Etymology: Middle English jurisdiccioun, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French ~, from Latin ~-, jurisdictio, from juris + diction-, dictio act of saying — more at diction  Date: 14th century  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  Synonyms: see power  • ~al adjective  • ~ally adverb