Definition

1. Noun:
   • A legally binding command or decision entered on the court record (as if issued by a court or judge): An official order or decree, especially one issued by a legal authority.
   • A formal or authoritative proclamation: An official announcement or command issued by a person in authority, such as a ruler or government.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The king issued an edict forbidding the practice. (The king made an official proclamation that banned the activity.)
  • The judge's edict was recorded and must be obeyed. (The judge's formal order was documented and is mandatory.)
  • The government edict imposed new taxes. (The authoritative government decree established new taxes.)

Advanced Usage

• "To issue an edict": To formally proclaim or decree something.
  • The council issued an edict to regulate trade.
• "By royal edict": By the formal command of a monarch.
  • The land was granted to the church by royal edict.

Variants and Related Words

• Edictal (adj): Pertaining to or of the nature of an edict.
  • The edictal power of the state.
• Rescript (n): An official edict or announcement, often a written reply from a Roman emperor or pope.
• Decree (n): An official order issued by a legal authority. (A very close synonym, often used interchangeably in legal contexts).
• Proclamation (n): A public or official announcement.

Synonyms

• Decree: An official order that has the force of law.
• Mandate: An official command or instruction from an authority.
• Proclamation: A public or official announcement.
• Fiat: A formal authorization or order.
• Ordinance: A piece of legislation enacted by a municipal authority.

Related Phrases

• Imperial edict: A decree issued by an emperor.
• Papal edict: A decree issued by a pope.

Notes on Meaning

• An edict is inherently formal and authoritative. It is not a suggestion or a request.
• Historically, the term is strongly associated with rulers (emperors, kings) and high legal or religious authorities.
• In modern legal contexts, it can refer to certain types of court orders or official government decrees.

Noun

1. a legally binding command or decision entered on the court record (as if issued by a court or judge)
   • a friend in New Mexico said that the order caused no trouble out there
2. a formal or authoritative proclamation