decree
/dɪˈkriː/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈkriː/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈkrē/ (ame, mw)
decree — 名詞
- decreesingular
- decreesplural
1. A written or spoken instruction from a ruler, government, or other governing bod
命令；法令
政府或統治者頒布的強制性命令
A written or spoken instruction from a ruler, government, or other governing body that people must follow because it carries the force of law.
The king issued a decree ordering farmers to pay a new grain tax by spring.
國王頒布一項法令，要求農民在春季前繳納新的穀物稅。
collocation: issue a decree
After the revolution, the interim government passed a decree banning all political gatherings in the capital.
革命之後，臨時政府通過一項法令，禁止在首都進行任何政治集會。
collocation: pass a decree
Under the emergency decree, the military took control of all major ports and national highways.
根據緊急法令，軍方接管了所有主要港口和國道。
President Okafor signed a decree that increased the minimum wage for all public school teachers.
Okafor 總統簽署一項法令，為所有公立學校教師調高最低工資。
By royal decree, the old market square was renamed after the late queen.
根據皇家敕令，舊市場廣場以已故女王的名字重新命名。
- edict
Strongly associated with monarchs or ancient rulers; more formal and historical in tone.
- proclamation
Often an official public announcement rather than a binding law; may not carry legal force.
- order
Broader and less formal; can be issued by anyone in authority, not just a government.
用法筆記
Frequently preceded by a verb like 'issue,' 'pass,' or 'sign' that describes how the decree is created.
常見錯誤
2. A formal ruling handed down by a judge or court that resolves a legal dispute an
判決；裁定
法院作出的有約束力的裁決
A formal ruling handed down by a judge or court that resolves a legal dispute and sets out the obligations or rights of the people involved.
The divorce decree gave custody of both children to the mother with monthly child support.
離婚判決將兩個孩子的監護權判給母親，並要求父親每月支付扶養費。
collocation: divorce decree
A court decree ordered the company to pay three million dollars for polluting the local river.
法院裁定這家公司須支付三百萬美元，作為污染當地河川的賠償。
Under the probate decree, the Watanabe family inherited their grandfather's entire house and land.
根據遺囑認證裁定，渡邊家族繼承了祖父的全部房屋和土地。
The Supreme Court issued a final decree that declared the controversial voting law unconstitutional.
最高法院發布最終判決，宣告這項備受爭議的選舉法違憲。
The judge's decree required the company to fully compensate every affected homeowner.
法官的裁定要求這家公司向每位受影響的屋主提供全額賠償。
- judgment
A broader term covering any court decision; 'decree' is more specific to equity or probate cases.
- ruling
Can refer to any judicial decision on a particular issue, not necessarily the final resolution of the case.
- order
A directive from a court that may be procedural rather than a final settlement of the case.
用法筆記
In legal contexts, a decree often refers to a judgment in equity or probate court, distinct from a jury verdict in a criminal trial.
常見錯誤
decree — 動詞
- decreepresent simple I / you / we / they
- decrees3rd person singular
- decreeing-ing form
- decreedpast simple
1. To officially order or decide that something must happen, using the authority of
下令；頒令
以官方權力決定或命令某事
To officially order or decide that something must happen, using the authority of a ruler, government, court, or other high authority.
The emperor decreed that all foreign merchants must leave the capital within thirty days.
皇帝下令所有外國商人必須在三十天內離開京城。
decree + that-clause for ordering an action
After the earthquake, the mayor decreed a mandatory evacuation within two kilometres of the coast.
地震過後，市長下令強制撤離海岸方圓兩公里內的所有住戶。
decree + direct object (noun phrase)
The council decreed that no new buildings could be taller than five stories in the historic district.
市政會下令，歷史街區內新建築的高度不得超過五層樓。
It was decreed by the Supreme Court that the company must pay full compensation to all affected workers.
最高法院裁定，這家公司必須向所有受影響的勞工支付全額賠償。
A new law was decreed that changed the voting age from twenty-one to eighteen across the entire country.
一項新法被頒布，將全國投票年齡從二十一歲改為十八歲。
- command
Broader and less legal; can be used for military or personal authority, not only governments.
- order
Everyday word for telling someone to do something; lacks the official, legal weight of 'decree.'
- ordain
More formal and often carries a religious or fate-related tone; less common in modern legal language.
文法句型
decree + that-clause
be decreed by + authority
decree + noun phrase
用法筆記
Subject is usually a single ruler, a government body, or a court. The verb is rarely used about individuals in everyday life — 'order' or 'decide' are more natural for non-official situations.