decreer
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de·cree
(dĭ-krē′)n.
1. An authoritative order having the force of law.
2. Law
a. The judgment of a court of equity.
b. The judgment of a court.
3. Roman Catholic Church
a. A doctrinal or disciplinary act of an ecclesiastical authority.
b. An administrative act applying or interpreting articles of canon law.
v. de·creed, de·cree·ing, de·crees
v.tr.
To order, establish, or decide by decree: decreed that the two kingdoms would be united.
v.intr.
To issue a decree.
[Middle English decre, from Old French decret, from Latin dēcrētum, principle, decision, from neuter past participle of dēcernere, to decide : dē-, de- + cernere, to sift; see krei- in Indo-European roots.]
de·cree′a·ble adj.
de·cre′er n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.