decree
[ dih-kree ]
/ dɪˈkri /
noun
a formal and authoritative order, especially one having the force of law: a presidential decree.
Law.
a judicial decision or order.
Theology.
one of the eternal purposes of God, by which events are foreordained.
verb (used with or without object), de·creed, de·cree·ing.
to command, ordain, or decide by decree.
Origin of decree
1275–1325; (noun) Middle English
decre < Anglo-French
decre, decret < Latin
dēcrētum, noun use of neuter of
dēcrētus, past participle of
dēcernere; see
decern; (v.) Middle English
decreen, derivative of the noun
OTHER WORDS FROM decree
pre·de·cree, verb (used with object), pre·de·creed, pre·de·cree·ing. un·de·creed, adjective well-de·creed, adjectiveWords nearby decree
Example sentences from the Web for decree
British Dictionary definitions for decree
decree
/ (dɪˈkriː) /
noun
an edict, law, etc, made by someone in authority
an order or judgment of a court made after hearing a suit, esp in matrimonial proceedings
See decree nisi, decree absolute
verb decrees, decreeing or decreed
to order, adjudge, or ordain by decree
Derived forms of decree
decreeable, adjective decreer, nounWord Origin for decree
C14: from Old French
decre, from Latin
dēcrētum ordinance, from
dēcrētus decided, past participle of
dēcernere to determine; see
decern