"De jure" is a Latin term meaning "by law." It refers to something that is legally recognized, regardless of whether it is actually practiced or enforced. For example, a law may exist that grants certain rights to individuals, but if those rights are not upheld in reality, they remain "de jure" rights. In contrast, "de facto" refers to situations that exist in practice but may not be legally recognized. For instance, a government may be considered "de jure" legitimate if it is established by law, while a rival government that operates without legal recognition may be seen as "de facto" legitimate if it effectively governs a population.