décréter

to decree, to order

verb deh-kreh-TEH Rare

Origin: Latin decretum (decision)

Usage Note

Décréter is a formal verb used when an authority officially pronounces a law, state of emergency, or decision; le gouvernement a décrété l'état d'urgence is a typical usage. Informally, it can describe someone unilaterally declaring something to be true. The related noun is un décret (decree, executive order).

Examples

"Le gouvernement a décrété un jour férié."

Natural Translation

The government decreed a public holiday.

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