Main Entry:

¹man·date

Pronunciation:

\ˈman-ˌdāt\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle French & Latin; Middle French mandat, from Latin mandatum, from neuter of mandatus, past participle of mandare to entrust, enjoin, probably irregular from manus hand + -dere to put — more at manual, do

Date:

1501

1: an authoritative command ; especially : a formal order from a superior court or official to an inferior one2: an authorization to act given to a representative <accepted the mandate of the people>3 a: an order or commission granted by the League of Nations to a member nation for the establishment of a responsible government over a former German colony or other conquered territory b: a mandated territory