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.
Derivatives:
mandator n.
Etymology: L mandatum, neut. past part. of mandare command f. manus hand + dare give: sense 2 of n. after F mandat