ˈdedēməs, ˈdād- noun
or dedimus po·tes·ta·tem -ˌpōd.əˈstäd.əm, -päd.əˈstād.-
Etymology: dedimus from Middle English, from Latin, we have given, 1st person plural perfect indicative of dare to give; dedimus potestatem from Latin, we have given the power; from the use of these words in the writ — more at date
: a writ to commission a private person to perform some act in place of a judge (as to examine a witness)