mandamus Hear it!

mandamus definition

man·da·mus (man dā′məs)

noun

Law a writ commanding that a specified thing be done, issued by a higher court to a lower one, or to a private or municipal corporation, government agency, official, etc.

Etymology: L, we command, 1st pers. pl., pres. indic., of mandare: see mandate

transitive verb

Informal to serve with or command by such a writ

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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