English Dictionary

Definition of “edict

edict (ˈiːdɪktPronunciation for edict

Definitions

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

Alternative Forms

eˈdictal adjective eˈdictally adverb

Word Origin

C15: from Latin ēdictum,  from ēdīcere to declare

Usage examples

  • He'd been meticulous in obeying Homer's first edict , that anything found among the dead letters be shared.
    Clive Barker, THE GREAT AND SECRET SHOW (2001)
  • The Pope had issued an edict calling for her murder, an act Kapur compares to the Islamic fatwa against Salman Rushdie.
    India Today (1998)
  • It was a show of strength behind the top Shi'ite cleric who, an aide said, could issue an edict against any unelected body.
    New Zealand Herald (2004)
  • He had issued the edict that nothing must happen to upset the grieving families, or in any way hinder the rescue operation.
    Glasgow Herald (2001)
  • Red tape caught up with him and he was consigned by Government edict back to the mines.
    Test Pilots

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