fiat

fi·at  (ft, -t, -ät, ft, -t)

n.

1. An arbitrary order or decree.

2. Authorization or sanction: government fiat.

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[Medieval Latin, from Latin, let it be done, third person sing. present subjunctive of fier, to become, to be done; see bheu- in Indo-European roots.]

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fiat [fie-at]

Noun

1. an official order issued without the consultation of those expected to obey it: the junta ruled by fiat

2. official permission [Latin: let it be done]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

fiat - a legally binding command or decision entered on the court record (as if issued by a court or judge); "a friend in New Mexico said that the order caused no trouble out there" decree, edict, rescript, order act, enactment - a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body consent decree - an agreement between two parties that is sanctioned by the court; for example, a company might agree to stop certain questionable practices without admitting guilt curfew - an order that after a specific time certain activities (as being outside on the streets) are prohibited decree nisi - a decree issued on a first petition for divorce; becomes absolute at some later date imperial decree - a decree issued by a sovereign ruler judicial separation, legal separation - a judicial decree regulating the rights and responsibilities of a married couple living apart programma - an edict that has been publicly posted ban, proscription, prohibition - a decree that prohibits something stay - a judicial order forbidding some action until an event occurs or the order is lifted; "the Supreme Court has the power to stay an injunction pending an appeal to the whole Court" papal bull, bull - a formal proclamation issued by the pope (usually written in antiquated characters and sealed with a leaden bulla) law, jurisprudence - the collection of rules imposed by authority; "civilization presupposes respect for the law"; "the great problem for jurisprudence to allow freedom while enforcing order"