Word
edict
US/ˈidɪkt/
UK/ˈiːdɪkt/
Countable noun
Definition
n. an official order or command given by someone in power. It is usually a rule that everyone must follow immediately.
n. an official proclamation or decree issued by an authority. Often carries the weight of law and is issued without the consent of a legislative body.
Examples
“The king issued an edict to raise taxes.”
“The government issued an emergency edict banning all public gatherings during the health crisis.”
“Historians argue that the emperor's religious edict was less about personal faith and more about consolidating political power across the fragmented provinces.”
Examples
simple
“The king issued an edict to raise taxes.”
contextual
“The government issued an emergency edict banning all public gatherings during the health crisis.”
complex
“Historians argue that the emperor's religious edict was less about personal faith and more about consolidating political power across the fragmented provinces.”
Usage
Often used with the verbs 'issue', 'proclaim', or 'rescind'.
Real-World Examples
“The United Nations described a recent “cascade of [Taliban] edicts and laws” that have banned women from universities and most employment, denied teenage girls education and imposed strict dress codes.” “It's there that edicts handed down by the reclusive emir are translated into what are known as workarounds.” Etymology
From Middle English edycte, borrowed from Latin edictum; earlier form edit, from Old French edit, from the same Latin word.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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