decree
dih-KREE
/dɪˈkriː/
An official order issued by a legal authority; to order something officially.
A decree is an absolute, top-down order that does not require the consent of a legislature or the public. It is associated with monarchs, dictators, or high courts.
The story behind the word. The word 'decree' comes from the Latin 'decretum', which is the past participle of 'decernere', meaning 'to decide', 'to separate', or 'to sift'. A decree, therefore, is a formal decision that has been carefully 'sifted' and decided upon by an authority before being handed down to the public.
Word relationships
- edict: An edict is a specific type of decree issued by a sovereign ruler, while decree is a broader term that can also apply to judicial decisions.
- mandate: A mandate is an official commission or authority, whereas a decree is the specific order itself.
- petition: A petition is a formal request from the public to an authority, the opposite of a top-down decree.
Commonly confused with
- degree: A degree is a unit of measurement or an academic qualification, whereas a decree is an official order.
Word family
- decreetal (adjective): Pertaining to a decree.
Collocations
- issue a decree
- royal decree
- presidential decree
- consent decree
Example sentences
- "The emperor issued a royal decree declaring a day of national celebration." A historical event.
- "The high court decreed that the disputed land must be returned to its original owners." A court ruling.
Memory hook
Think of a 'decision' made by a 'decree'ing king. He has sifted through the options and made an absolute choice. A formal decision handed down.
When not to use
Do not use for democratic laws passed by a parliament, which are called 'statutes' or 'acts', or for simple administrative rules.
Fun facts
- In modern legal systems, a 'consent decree' is an agreement or settlement that resolves a dispute between two parties without admission of guilt, approved by a judge.
Related words
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