fiat

/ˈfiːæt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfiːɑːt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfē-ət -ˌat, -ˌät; ˈfī-ət, -ˌat/ (ame, mw)

fiat — noun

  • fiatsingular
  • fiatsplural

1. a formal order or decision made by someone in power, typically issued without di

1.名詞C2
釋義

a formal order or decision made by someone in power, typically issued without discussion or agreement from others

例句

The king's fiat banned all public gatherings in the capital.

Salma disagreed with the CEO's fiat to cut the health benefits.

fiat + to-infinitive clause

同義詞
  • decree

    more neutral in tone; a decree is a formal legal order without the arbitrary implication

  • edict

    often refers to a royal or official proclamation; more archaic in modern use

  • mandate

    an authoritative command, often backed by popular vote or official authorization

  • dictate

    a rule or principle imposed by force; can refer to conscience (e.g., dictates of reason) as well as authority

反義詞
  • consensus

    general agreement reached through discussion, the opposite of a unilateral order

  • democracy

    a system where decisions are made collectively, not by a single authority

文法句型

fiat + to-infinitive

by [possessor] fiat

用法筆記

Frequently used in political or legal contexts, often with a critical tone that suggests the decision was arbitrary or bypassed normal procedures. The phrase 'by fiat' (or 'by [authority] fiat') is especially common and functions as an adverbial.

常見錯誤

❌The judge issued a fiat finding him guilty.
✅The judge issued a ruling finding him guilty.
💡A court's standard decision is a 'ruling'; 'fiat' implies bypassing proper process, so it does not fit ordinary legal judgments.