From Latin 'justus' (righteous), from 'jus' (law) — 'exactly' and 'merely' grew from the precision inherent in justice.
Definition
Exactly, precisely; only, merely; very recently; by a narrow margin. Also an adjective meaning morally right or fair.
The Full Story
Latin14th centurywell-attested
From OldFrench 'juste' (righteous, fair, equitable), from Latin 'iūstus' (upright, righteous, lawful, proper), from 'iūs' (right, law, that which is binding), from PIE *h₂yew-os (a binding formula, a law, a sacred pronouncement). ThePIEroot suggests that law was originally conceived as something spoken and binding — a verbal formula with sacred force. 'Just' entered English as an adjective meaning 'morally upright, conforming
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Latin 'iūs' meant both 'law' and 'broth/sauce' — two completely unrelated words that happened to be spelled identically. The legal term gave us 'justice'; the culinaryone gave us 'jus,' as in 'au jus.'
: 'exactly' (just right) from the idea that justice is precision; 'merely' (just a scratch) as an understating device; 'a moment ago' (just arrived) conveying recency and immediacy. Latin 'iūs' is one of the most generative legal roots in