Definition

1. Noun:
   • The recipient of a mandate: A person, organization, or state that is officially entrusted with a mandate—a formal order, authorization, or commission to act on behalf of another. This often implies a duty or responsibility to carry out specific instructions or policies.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The United Nations appointed the country as the mandatary to oversee the peacekeeping mission.
  • As the legal mandatary for her elderly aunt, she was responsible for managing all financial affairs.
  • The committee acted as a mandatary, implementing the directives issued by the board of directors.

Advanced Usage

• In a legal or fiduciary context: A "mandatary" is often synonymous with an "agent" or "trustee" who is legally authorized to act for a "mandator" (the person giving the mandate).

  • The lawyer served as a mandatary, executing the will according to the deceased's precise instructions.

• In historical/political contexts: Refers to a territory or state placed under the authority of another country by a mandate from the League of Nations or United Nations.

  • After World War I, several former Ottoman provinces became mandataries of Allied powers.

Variants and Related Words

• Mandate (n/v): The authoritative command or commission itself; to give such a command.

  • The government received a clear mandate from the electorate to reform healthcare.

• Mandator (n): The person or entity that issues a mandate.

  • The mandator instructed the mandatary to sell the property.

• Mandatory (adj): Required by law or rule; compulsory.

  • Attendance at the safety briefing is mandatory.

Synonyms

• Agent: A person who acts on behalf of another.
• Delegate: A person sent or authorized to represent others.
• Trustee: A person or firm that holds and administers property or assets for a beneficiary.
• Fiduciary: A person who holds a legal or ethical relationship of trust with another.

Related Phrases

• To act as a mandatary: To perform duties under a formal authorization.
  • The foundation agreed to act as a mandatary for distributing the charitable funds.

Related Idioms

• To have a mandate: To possess the authority to act, typically derived from an official vote or order. (Note: This idiom uses the related word "mandate," not "mandatary").
  • The new president claimed to have a mandate for change.

Noun

1. the recipient of a mandate