Legal Dictionary
Main Entry:
man·datePronunciation:
'man-"dAtFunction:
nounEtymology: Latin
mandatum, from neuter of
mandatus, past participle of
mandare to entrust, enjoin, probably irregularly from
manus hand +
-dere to put
1 a : a formal communication from a reviewing court notifying the court below of its judgment and directing the lower court to act accordingly
b : MANDAMUS 2 in the civil law of Louisiana : an act by which a person gives another person the power to transact for him or her one or several affairs
3 a : an authoritative command
: a clear authorization or direction
mandate of the full faith and credit clause —National Law Journal> b : the authorization to act given by a constituency to its elected representative