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

Other Word Forms

• edictal adjective
• edictally 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

Wearing suits and green ties, the players were following the edict of their coach to act classy and be thankful and polite.

From Los Angeles Times

He claimed Obergefell “inevitably set in conflict between those who ascribe to the Supreme Court’s edict and those who have a firmly held religious belief that marriage is between a man and a woman.”

From Salon

Homeless advocacy organizations saw those edicts as a push for criminalization of homelessness and mental illness.

From Los Angeles Times

As for his latest edict allowing worshipers to forgo Mass, Rojas said it will remain in effect until further notice or until the circumstances “necessitating this decree are sufficiently resolved.”

From Los Angeles Times

Customs and Border Protection, and elsewhere appeared on the streets of Portland, authorized by a presidential edict to protect federal buildings.

From Salon

Related Words

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