an authoritative order or command, esp. a written one
Historical
a commission from the League of Nations to a country to administer some region, colony, etc.
the area so administered
the wishes of constituents expressed to a representative, legislature, etc., as through an election and regarded as an order
Law
an order from a higher court or official to a lower one: a is a mandate from an appellate court to the lower court, communicating its decision in a case appealed
in English law, a bailment of personal property with no consideration
in Roman law, a commission or contract by which a person undertakes to do something for another, without recompense but with indemnity against loss