What does jura mean?
Jura is a geographical proper name with two principal referents: a mountain range in eastern France, Switzerland, and southern Germany, and an island in Scotland’s Inner Hebrides. The mountains are especially associated with folded limestone landscapes, wooded ridges, pastures, and Jura cattle. The Scottish island is also renowned for a hardy breed of reddish-brown cattle that takes its name from the island. Jura has an important place in the history of geology: the term “Jurassic” was derived from the mountains because their characteristic rock strata were instrumental in the early classification of geological periods. Today, the name may denote the mountain range, the island, or, with the phrase “Jura cattle,” the breed associated with it. These distinct but related meanings make Jura an example of how a single place-name can acquire scientific, agricultural, and cultural significance.
proper nounThe Jura is a mountain range extending through eastern France, Switzerland, and southern Germany, as well as an island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. The name also designates a breed of cattle originating on the Scottish island.
- The mountain range extending through eastern France, Switzerland, and southern Germany.
- The island in the Inner Hebrides, Scotland, whose traditional cattle are known as Jura cattle.
- A breed of hardy cattle associated with the Scottish island of Jura.
"The Jura Mountains form a natural barrier between France and Switzerland."
"Dense woodland covers many lower slopes of the Jura Mountains."
"Jura cattle are valued for their hardiness and distinctive reddish-brown coats."
The geological period Jurassic takes its name from the Jura Mountains, where the characteristic layered limestone rocks were first studied.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does jura come from?
The mountain-range name entered English through French, in which Jura is a established regional name. The geological term “Jurassic” developed from French jurassien, meaning “of the Jura,” during the early nineteenth century as the rock formations of the range were incorporated into geological classification. The Scottish island also bears the name Jura, and the cattle breed was named directly after that island.
Related word forms
How jura is actually used
Jura is a proper name and is normally capitalized. As a cattle breed, it is used attributively in names such as “Jura cattle” and “Jura-type cattle.”