n. 1. An authoritative command or instruction. 2. A command or authorization given by a political electorate to the winner of an election. 3. a. A commission from the League of Nations authorizing a member nation to administer a territory. b. A region under such administration. 4. Law The specific directive issued by a reviewing court to a lower court, as in requiring the lower court to enter a new judgment or to conduct further proceedings consistent with the reviewing court's ruling. tr.v. man·dat·ed, man·dat·ing, man·dates 1. To assign (a colony or territory) to a specified nation under a mandate of the League of Nations. 2. To make mandatory, as by law; decree or require: mandated desegregation of public schools. [Latin mandātum, from neuter past participle of mandāre, to order; see man-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] manda′tor n. |
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