Mandate, n.
Etymology: [L. mandatum, fr. mandare to commit to one's charge, order, orig., to put into one's hand; manus hand + dare to give: cf. F. mandat. See Manual, Date a time, and cf. Commend, Maundy Thursday.]
1. An official or authoritative command; an order or injunction; a commission; a judicial precept. This dream all-powerful Juno; I bear Her mighty mandates, and her words you hear. Dryden.
2. (Canon Law)
A rescript of the pope, commanding an ordinary collator to put the person therein named in possession of the first vacant benefice in his collation.
3. (Scots Law)
1 more senses
A contract by which one employs another to manage any business for him. By the Roman law, it must have been gratuitous. Erskine.