The study of jurisprudence started with the Romans. The term Jurisprudence is derived from Latin word 'Jurisprudentia' which means either "Knowledge of Law" or "Skill of law". The word "juris" means law and prudentia mean knowledge, science or skill.  Thus Jurisprudence signifies knowledge or science of law and its application. In this sense, Jurisprudence covers the whole body of general legal principles in the world upon which the actual rules of law are based. Therefore, it does not mean study of statutes or branches of law like consumer, crime, tort, property, etc., but the basic principles behind the development of these statutes and branches of law.