decree
[ dih-kree ]
/ dɪˈkri /
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noun
a formal and authoritative order, especially one having the force of law: a presidential decree.
Law. a judicial decision or order.
Theology. one of the eternal purposes of God, by which events are foreordained.
verb (used with or without object), de·creed, de·cree·ing.
to command, ordain, or decide by decree.
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Origin of decree
1275–1325; (noun) Middle English decre<Anglo-French decre, decret<Latin dēcrētum, noun use of neuter of dēcrētus, past participle of dēcernere;see decern; (v.) Middle English decreen, derivative of the noun
OTHER WORDS FROM decree
pre·de·cree, verb (used with object), pre·de·creed, pre·de·cree·ing.un·de·creed, adjectivewell-de·creed, adjectiveWords nearby decree
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for decree
British Dictionary definitions for decree
decree
/ (dɪˈkriː) /
noun
an edict, law, etc, made by someone in authority
an order or judgment of a court made after hearing a suit, esp in matrimonial proceedingsSee decree nisi, decree absolute
verb decrees, decreeing or decreed
to order, adjudge, or ordain by decree
Derived forms of decree
decreeable, adjectivedecreer, nounWord Origin for decree
C14: from Old French decre, from Latin dēcrētum ordinance, from dēcrētus decided, past participle of dēcernere to determine; see decern
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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