n. 1 a Roman emperor's written reply to an appeal for guidance, esp. on a legal point. 2 RC Ch. the Pope's decision on a question of doctrine or papal law. 3 an official edict or announcement. 4 a the act or an instance of rewriting. b the thing rewritten.
[ L rescriptum, neut. past part. of rescribere rescript- (as RE-, scribere write) ]