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.
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 proceedingsSee decree nisi, decree absolute
verb decrees, decreeing or decreed
- to order, adjudge, or ordain by decree
early 14c., from Old French decre, variant of decret (12c., Modern French décret), from Latin decretum, neuter of decretus, past participle of decernere “to decree, decide, pronounce a decision,” from de- (see de-) + cernere “to separate” (see crisis).
late 14c., from decree (n.). Related: Decreed; decreeing.