Decree

de-kre', n. An order or decision by a court or other competent authority; law; statute; ordinance; edict, — [decreed (-kredr -creeing.J To determine judicially by authority, or by decree; to order, appoint. — v. To decide or appoint authoritatively, determine decisively. [OF. decret, L. decernere, decretum, to decree, to separate, fr. de and cernere, to sift, separate, decide, Gr. krinein rt. sheer, skill.] — Decre'tal, a. Containing, or pen. am, fame, far, pa or opera, fire end, DEEM to, a decree. — n. An authoritative order or decree; esp. a letter of the pope, determining some question in ecclesiastical law; a collection of the pope's decrees. — Decre'tist, n. One versed in the decretals. -Decre'tive, -tiv, a. Having the force, or of the nature of a decree; determining.— Dec'retory, dek'- re-to-rt, a. Established by decree; definitive; serving to determine; critical.— Decletorily, -rt-lY, adv.