ˈē(ˌ)dikt, ˈēdēkt, archaic ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin edictum, from neuter of edictus, past participle of edicere to declare, decree, from e- + dicere to say — more at diction
1.
a. : a public notice issued by official ecclesiastical or state authority : a public command or ordinance by the sovereign power : the proclamation of a law or rule of conduct made by competent authority — compare decree , rescript
b. : an order or command especially when suggesting such an official public notice
so the wife won't notice it and issue bitter edicts about slovenliness — Fortnight
2. : the order of the court in Scots and Roman Dutch law commanding that notice of a pending civil or criminal suit be given to an absent or nonresident defendant by citation and specifying in what manner it should be given — compare edictal citation