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# decree

noun (a decree, decrees); verb (decree, decrees, decreed, decreeing)

«decree» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A decree is an official order given by a ruler, a government or a court. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decree/#m1)
2. To decree something is to order it officially. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decree/#m2)
3. (Bible) In the Bible, Caesar Augustus sent out a decree that everyone must be counted, which is why Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decree/#m3)
4. (law) A decree can be a court's decision, as in a divorce decree. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decree/#m4)

### In the lessons

In history and RE pupils meet decrees of kings, emperors and popes; in the Christmas story the decree sends the family to Bethlehem. In stories a king decrees a feast or a law. Phrases: «issue a decree», «by royal decree», «decree that».

### Examples

- The king issued a decree that all dogs must wear bells. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decree/#x1)
- By royal decree, the day was a holiday. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decree/#x2)
- «In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus,» the reader began. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decree/#x3)
- The emperor decreed that a new road should be built. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decree/#x4)
- The court gave its final decree on the divorce. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decree/#x5)
- Mum decreed that there would be no screens at dinner. (humorous) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decree/#x6)
- So he had put forth a decree that whosoever should be able to make her laugh should marry her. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decree/#x7)

### Note

Stress on the second syllable: de-CREE. Verb forms: decreed, decreeing (keep both e's). Do not confuse with «degree» (a unit of temperature or angle, or a university qualification).

## In Jewish tradition

An official order of a king, or God's fixed law. Persian kings made decrees in Ezra, Esther and Daniel.

**Interpretation.** Tradition reads God's decrees as His laws and plans for the world. Purim recalls how a cruel royal decree was overturned.

### Examples

- By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. (Writings PRO.8.15, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/decree/#x1)
- And prescribed for it My decree, and set bars and doors, (Writings JOB.38.10, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/decree/#x2)
- I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with all diligence.' (Writings EZR.6.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/decree/#x3)

### Note

Stress on the second syllable: de-CREE. Verb forms: decreed, decreeing (keep both e's). Do not confuse with «degree» (a unit of temperature or angle, or a university qualification).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «decree» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decree/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«decree» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/decree.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «decree» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/decree/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«decree» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/decree.html) on Mova free.