mandate

/ˈman-ˌdāt/

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

noun

  1. an authoritative command; especially : a formal order from a superior court or official to an inferior one

  2. an authorization to act given to a representative

  3. 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

verb

  1. to administer or assign (something, such as a territory) under a mandate

  2. to officially require (something) : make (something) mandatory : order; also : to direct or require (someone) to do something