In the Roman law. An edict; a mandate, or ordinance. An ordinance, orlaw, enacted by the emperor without the senate; belonging to the class of constitutionesprincipis. Inst. 1, 2. 6. An edict was a mere voluntary constitution of theemperor; differing from a rescript, in not being returned in the way of answer; andfrom a decree, in not being given in judgment ; and from both, in not being foundedupon solicitation . Tayl. Civil Law, 233.A general order published by the prator, on entering upon his oll’tce, containing thesystem of rules by which he would administer justice during the year of his office. Dig.1, 2, 2, 10; Mackeld. Rom. Law,
Black’s Law Online Dictionary
