/di kree"/ , n. , v. , decreed, decreeing .
n.
1. a formal and authoritative order, esp. one having the force of law: a presidential decree.
2. Law. a judicial decision or order.
3. Theol. one of the eternal purposes of God, by which events are foreordained.
v.t. , v.i.
4. to command, ordain, or decide by decree.
[ 1275-1325; (n.) ME decre decre, decret decretum, n. use of neut. of decretus, ptp. of decernere; see DECERN; (v.) ME decreen, deriv. of the n. ]