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Webster 1913 Edition
Mandamus
‖
Man-da′mus
,Noun.
[L., we command, fr.
mandare
to command.] (Law)
A writ issued by a superior court and directed to some inferior tribunal, or to some corporation or person exercising authority, commanding the performance of some specified duty.
Webster 1828 Edition
Mandamus
MANDA'MUS
,Noun.
In law, a command or writ, issuing from the king's bench in England, and in America, from some of the higher courts, directed to any person, corporation, or inferior court, requiring them to do some act therein specified, which appertains to their office and duty; as to admit or restore a person to an office or franchise, or to an academical degree, or to deliver papers, annex a seal to a paper, &c.