n. & v.
n. 1 an official order issued by a legal authority. 2 a judgement or decision of certain lawcourts, esp. in matrimonial cases.
v.tr. (decrees, decreed, decreeing) ordain by decree. decree absolute a final order for divorce, enabling either party to remarry. decree nisi a provisional order for divorce, made absolute unless cause to the contrary is shown within a fixed period.
[ ME f. OF decré f. L decretum neut. past part. of decernere decide (as DE-, cernere sift) ]