fiat
English
Etymology
Latin fīat (“let it be done”).
Pronunciation
Noun
- An authoritative command or order to do something; an effectual decree.
- 1788, Alexander Hamilton, Federalist no. 73
- The reflection that the fate of a fellow-creature depended on his sole fiat, would naturally inspire scrupulousness and caution; [...]
- 1788, Alexander Hamilton, Federalist no. 73
- (English law) A warrant of a judge for certain processes.
- (English law) An authority for certain proceedings given by the Lord Chancellor's signature.
Translations
An authoritative command or order to do something; an effectual decree
Derived terms
Verb
fiat (third-person singular simple present fiats, present participle fiating, simple past and past participle fiated)
- (jargon used in academic debate, transitive) To make (something) happen.
Quotations
- For usage examples of this term, see the citations page.
References
- fiat in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
Part or all of this entry has been imported from the 1913 edition of Webster’s Dictionary, which is now free of copyright and hence in the public domain. The imported definitions may be significantly out of date, and any more recent senses may be completely missing.
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