interdictory

in·ter·dict

 (ĭn′tər-dĭkt′)

tr.v. in·ter·dict·ed, in·ter·dict·ing, in·ter·dicts

1. To prohibit (an action or thing) or forbid (someone) to do something, especially by legal or ecclesiastical order.

2.

a. To cut or destroy (a line of communication) by firepower so as to halt an enemy's advance.

b. To confront and halt the activities, advance, or entry of: "the role of the FBI in interdicting spies attempting to pass US secrets to the Soviet Union" (Christian Science Monitor).

n. (ĭn′tər-dĭkt′)

1. An authoritative prohibition, especially by court order.

2. Roman Catholic Church An ecclesiastical censure that bars an individual, members of a given group, or inhabitants of a given district from participation in most sacraments.

---

[Alteration of Middle English enterditen, to place under a church ban, from Old French entredit, past participle of entredire, to forbid, from Latin interdīcere, interdict- : inter-, inter- + dīcere, to say; see deik- in Indo-European roots.]

---

in′ter·dic′tion n.

in′ter·dic′tive, in′ter·dic′to·ry (-dĭk′tə-rē) adj.

in′ter·dic′tive·ly adv.

in′ter·dic′tor n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.