Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction \joor-is-DIK-shuhn\ , noun;
1. The right, power, or authority to administer justice by hearing and determining controversies
2. Power; authority; control
3. The extent or range of judicial, law enforcement, or other authority
4. The territory over which authority is exercised

This word dates to the early 14th century as "administration of justice" from Old French juridiccion, which comes directly from Latin iurisdictionem ("administration of justice, jurisdiction"). It's a combination of ius + dictio ("right, law" + "a saying"). Ius derives from Proto-Indo-European *yewes- ("law") and was originally a religious cult term that meant something like "sacred formula." It's also the forebear of jurist. Dictio derives from PIE *deik- ("to point out") and is also the forebear of diction and dictionary.