fiat
fiat
Definition
fiat (fē′ät, -at, -ət; fī′at′, -ət)
noun
- an order issued by legal authority, usually beginning with fiat (let it be done); decree
- a sanction; authorization
- any arbitrary order
Etymology: L, 3d pers. sing., pres. subj., of fieri, to become, come into existence < IE base *bheu- > be
fiat
Synonyms
fiat
Usage Examples
Converse of object
- issue: He also issued a fiat ordering state employees to break the Ramadan fast and restricted the number of pilgrims performing the Hajj.
- see: You've never seen a fiat like this on the streets.
Converse of subject
- create: For a nation cannot simply be created by bureaucratic fiat.
Adjective modifier
- divine: There is an affirmation of divine fiat, or instantaneous creation.
- administrative: Secondly, no homeowner could claim private right to a location value enhanced by public administrative fiat.
- ministerial: As a liberal, I fear that some of our rights could thus be curtailed by ministerial fiat.
- executive: Their grievances against Boyer's government included corruption, nepotism, suppression of free expression, and rule by executive fiat.
- imperial: Since the end of colonialism, those rules cannot be made imperial fiat.
- legislative: Factional reserve lending can be abolished by legislative fiat.
Modifies a noun
- currency: In the short run, the issuer of a fiat reserve currency can accrue great economic benefits.
- collapse: In the unlikely event of a fiat collapse, GB has sold our nation's insurance at a pittance.
- money: Gold is a better store of value than fiat money over the long term.
- system: Central bankers will only resort to positive real rates when faced with meltdown of the international fiat currency system.
- punto: I drive a '94 fiat punto 1.2 liter injection.
- panda: Its a Seat Marbella which is just a fiat panda really.
Noun used with modifier
- government: He will have surprised his audience by his claim that no social improvement can be achieved purely by government fiat.
- state: Militant reformers would suppress antiquities looting by international treaty, court order, state fiat, and the moral artillery of shame and guilt.
Possessives
- money: It was ' fiat ' money, money made legal tender by Act of Congress.
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