interdict
/ˈɪntɚdɪkt/
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.35 in modern English
12
Scrabble Score
9
Letters
3
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A papal decree prohibiting the administration of the sacraments from a political entity under the power of a single person (e.g., a king or an oligarchy with similar powers). Extreme unction/Anointing of the Sick is excepted.
noun
An injunction.
verb
To exclude (someone or somewhere) from participation in church services; to place under a religious interdict.
Transitive verb
verb
To impede (an enemy); to interrupt or destroy (enemy communications, supply lines etc).
American usage; Transitive verb
Example Sentences
- "The Fife County Council, and other objectors, were successful in July [1950] in obtaining an interim interdict against this decision, but the Court of Session withdrew the interdict in January, and it was then stated that a civil court had no jurisdiction in the matter. […] Mr. Waller adds that when the railway was authorised in 1897, one of the clauses of the Act authorising the transfer of the line to the North British Railway provided that that company should work it in perpetuity, and it was this clause that caused the interim interdict to be granted."
- "In May [1995], the court issued an interdict preventing the service withdrawal, pending consultation on the closure to passenger traffic of three short stretches of railway around Glasgow and its hinterland that were only used by the Fort William Sleeper - and for which BR had failed to invoke standard closure procedures."
- "An archbishop [may not only] excommunicate and interdict his suffragans, but his Vicar-General may also do the same."
- "Charged not to touch the interdicted tree."
- "Do not look so alarmed, Madame; every possible precaution has been taken to prevent infection. I have given the strictest orders to interdict any communication between her attendants and those devoted to your service."
- "Grant did not cease his efforts to interdict Lee's supply lines and break through the defenses."
Etymology
From Middle English entrediten, from Old French entredire (“forbid”), from Latin interdīcō (“prohibit, forbid”), from inter- (“between”) + dīcō (“say”), from Proto-Indo-European *deyḱ-.
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: *deyḱ-, entrediten, entredire, interdīcō
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈɪntɚdɪkt/
- British English: /ˈɪntədɪkt/
Usage
- Transitive verb
- American usage
Subject
Wiktionary places this term in Law.