Webster's English Dictionary

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mandate

1. man.date \'man-.da-t\ n [MF & L; MF mandat, fr. L mandatum, fr. neut. of 
   mandatus, pp]. of mandare to entrust, enjoin, prob. irreg. fr. manus band + 
   -dere to put - more at MANUAL, DO 1: an authoritative command; esp : a 
   formal order from a superior c ourt or official to an inferior one 2: an 
   authorization to act given to a representative  3a: an order or commission 
   granted by the League of Nations to a member nat ion for the establishment 
   of a responsible government over a former German colony or other conquered 
   territory 3b: a mandated territory 
2. mandate vt : to administer or assign under a mandate