n. & v.
n. 1 an official command or instruction by an authority. 2 support for a policy or course of action, regarded by a victorious party, candidate, etc., as derived from the wishes of the people in an election. 3 a commission to act for another. 4 Law a commission by which a party is entrusted to perform a service, often gratuitously and with indemnity against loss by that party. 5 hist. a commission from the League of Nations to a member State to administer a territory. 6 a papal decree or decision.
v.tr. 1 instruct (a delegate) to act or vote in a certain way. 2 (usu. foll. by to) hist. commit (a territory etc.) to a mandatary. mandator n.
[ L mandatum, neut. past part. of mandare command f. manus hand + dare give: sense 2 of n. after F mandat ]