edict

American  

[ee-dikt] / ˈi dɪkt /

noun

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

   Synonyms:

   pronouncement, dictum

2. any authoritative proclamation or command.

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edict British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• edictal adjective
• edictally adverb

Etymology

Origin of edict

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

Example Sentences

The latest heartache for Dutchmen was an edict making it a crime to sing the “Wilhelmus,” our national anthem.

From Literature

In Greek tragedy, the gods have the last word, but here the question becomes whether individuals’ rights should take precedence over a ruler’s edict.

From The Wall Street Journal

Esther, the king’s wife, convinced the king to withdraw the edict and arrest Haman.

From The Wall Street Journal

Rising deficits, erratic trade negotiations, unpredictable tariff edicts, and a perceived attack on the Federal Reserve have all combined to push Treasury bond yields higher.

From Barron's

“There’s a sense of moral panic,” Ms. Hall says of the edict.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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