edict

[ ee-dikt ]

noun

1. a decree issued by a sovereign or other authority.

   Synonyms: pronouncement, dictum

2. any authoritative proclamation or command.

edict

/ ˈiːdɪkt /

noun

1. a decree, order, or ordinance issued by a sovereign, state, or any other holder of authority
2. any formal or authoritative command, proclamation, etc

Derived Forms

• eˈdictal, adjective
• eˈdictally, adverb

Other Words From

• e·dictal adjective
• e·dictal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of edict¹

First recorded in 1450–1500; from Latin ēdictum, noun use of neuter of ēdictus (past participle of ēdīcere “to give public notice, proclaim”), equivalent to ē- + dictus “said”; e- ¹, dictum

Word History and Origins

Origin of edict¹

C15: from Latin ēdictum, from ēdīcere to declare

Example Sentences

Mr. Trump issued the edict in a post on his Truth Social platform Wednesday afternoon.

From New York Times

Remember, the Supreme Court raised the stakes of this election when the Republicans on the bench issued an edict that destroyed democracy.

From Salon

In hearing Kuhn’s edict, my mind flipped back to my anticipatory excitement when I’d ridden the subway from my office in midtown Manhattan to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx that Monday afternoon.

From Los Angeles Times

Pete issued an edict that, according to his careful calculations, there would be 18,256 deaths from the disease in the United States.

From Salon

Western countries, led by the United States and the European Union, have condemned the new laws, but the Taliban has defended the edict saying it is in accordance with Islamic Sharia law.

From BBC

Related Words

• commandment
• decree
• directive
• injunction
• judgment
• mandate
• precept
• proclamation
• regulation
• ruling
• statute