imperial decree

Meaning

1. 1nouncountableformal

   An official order issued by an emperor or empress, which had the force of law throughout the empire.

   Grammar: Has a plural: imperial decrees. Often used with by or of: an imperial decree by the emperor.

   Patterns

   • an imperial decree banning something
   • issue an imperial decree

   The emperor issued an imperial decree banning the export of silk.

   An imperial decree ordered every town to send tax collectors to the capital.

   The monks were expelled by imperial decree in the ninth century.

Word forms

Common combinations

issue an imperial decree

The empress issued an imperial decree to open the ports.

by imperial decree

The festival was made a public holiday by imperial decree.

an imperial decree banning

An imperial decree banning foreign books caused protests.

proclaim an imperial decree

Heralds proclaimed the imperial decree in every square.

revoke an imperial decree

The new emperor revoked the imperial decree of his father.

Synonyms and how they differ

edict

Edict is broader, since any ruler can issue one, while imperial decree names the emperor as the source.

royal proclamation

Royal proclamation is the equivalent for a king or queen, not an emperor.

ukase

Ukase is a historical term for a Russian tsar's order and carries a hint of arbitrary power.

mandate

Mandate is more general and need not come from an emperor, and often means authority given by voters.

Word family

decree noun

an official order with the force of law

decree verb

to order officially

empire noun

a group of lands ruled by an emperor

imperial adjective

relating to an empire or emperor

Commonly confused: imperial decree or imperial order? imperial decree or imperative?

Practice

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