rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryedictOfficial order
noun

edict

EE-dikt/ˈiːdɪkt/

An official order or proclamation issued by an authority.

An official posts an edict for the townspeople to read.

Edict: official sealed proclamation freshly attached to a public notice board; authoritative uniformed town official unrolls it before attentive townspeople.
Etymology
eLatinout
+dictLatinto say

“Saying out” became publishing or proclaiming something publicly. An edict is such a proclamation backed by authority, historically one having the force of law.

In context

Libranima270:10
Thou knowest well, neighbour and friend Sancho Panza, how the proclamation or edict his Majesty commanded to be issued against those of my nation filled us all with terror and dismay …
Don Quixote - Cervantes (Illustrated Audiobook) Part 4 of 4

More examples

  • An official edict announced the new restrictions.
  • The historian compared the edict with earlier decrees.
  • The citizens protested against the edict.

Forms

edict · edicts

Similar words

decree
A decree is also an authoritative order; edict often emphasizes a publicly proclaimed command.
rule
A rule guides conduct; an edict is an order issued by someone with authority.