decree

  • 1decree — de·cree /di krē/ n [Old French decré, from Latin decretum, from neuter of decretus, past participle of decernere to decide] 1: an order having the force of law by judicial decree 2: a judicial decision esp. in an equity or probate court; broadly …

    Law dictionary

  • 2decree — de‧cree [dɪˈkriː] noun [countable] LAW 1. a judgement made in a court of law after a civil action: • The council had already been successful in obtaining a court decree against the former MP. conˈsent deˌcree LAW an order …

    Financial and business terms

  • 3Decree — • In a general sense, an order or law made by a superior authority for the direction of others. In ecclesiastical use it has various meanings. Any papal Bull, Brief, or Motu Proprio is a decree inasmuch as these documents are legislative acts of… …

    Catholic encyclopedia

  • 4Decree — De*cree , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Decreed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Decreeing}.] 1. To determine judicially by authority, or by decree; to constitute by edict; to appoint by decree or law; to determine; to order; to ordain; as, a court decrees a… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 5decree — [dē krē′, di krē′] n. [ME decre < OFr decret < L decretum, neut. of decretus, pp. of decernere, to decree < de , from + cernere, to sift, judge: see CERTAIN] 1. an official order, edict, or decision, as of a church, government, court,… …

    English World dictionary

  • 6Decree — De*cree , n. [OE. decre, F. d[ e]cret, fr. L. decretum, neut. decretus, p. p. of decernere to decide; de + cernere to decide. See {Certain}, and cf. {Decreet}, {Decretal}.] 1. An order from one having authority, deciding what is to be done by a… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 7Decree — De*cree , v. i. To make decrees; used absolutely. [1913 Webster] Father eternal! thine is to decree; Mine, both in heaven and earth to do thy will. Milton. [1913 Webster] …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 8decree — [n] mandate, legal order act, announcement, behest, bidding, charge, charging, command, commandment, declaration, decretum, dictum, direction, directive, edict, enactment, injunction, instruction, judgment, law, order, ordinance, precept,… …

    New thesaurus

  • 9decree — ► NOUN 1) an official order that has the force of law. 2) a judgement or decision of certain law courts. ► VERB (decrees, decreed, decreeing) ▪ order by decree. ORIGIN Latin decretum something decided , from decernere …

    English terms dictionary

  • 10decree ni|si — «NY sy», Law. a conditional decree of divorce, which becomes final later …

    Useful english dictionary