mandamus

American  

[man-dey-muhs] / mænˈdeɪ məs /

noun

plural

mandamuses

1. a writ from a superior court to an inferior court or to an officer, corporation, etc., commanding that a specified thing be done.

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verb (used with object)

1. to intimidate or serve with such writ.

mandamus British  

/ mænˈdeɪməs /

noun

1. law formerly a writ from, now an order of, a superior court commanding an inferior tribunal, public official, corporation, etc, to carry out a public duty

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Etymology

Origin of mandamus

From the Latin word mandāmus we command

Explanation

A mandamus is an order passed down from a court requiring that an official perform some particular function as an absolute duty. If a public official tries to do his job in whatever way he sees fit, a court might issue a mandamus, telling him, "This is your duty — do it. Or else." Say you're a dogcatcher and you've been looking the other way while Tootles runs free, digging up flower beds. A court might issue a writ of mandamus ordering you to put Tootles in the pound. It's no longer up to you — it's time to bring Tootles in.

Example Sentences

“If I were working on this, I would file a writ of mandamus ASAP,” said Danas.

From Slate • May 15, 2024

Lynch also asked Judge Jackson to decide by next Tuesday so the department could request a writ of mandamus from the U.S.

From Salon • May 12, 2023

They were seeking what’s known as mandamus, which is a request to the court to order a government official to take an action.

From Washington Times • Mar. 1, 2023

The Supreme Court ruling only dismisses the petition — submitted by a group of parents in Chesapeake — that sought an unconventional form of relief called a writ of mandamus.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 7, 2022

They applied for a "mandamus" to get rid of me, and my counsel argued that I was without the four seas of the realm, and could not be attacked.

From Paul Gosslett's Confessions in Love, Law, and The Civil Service by Lever, Charles James