A. A proclamation, ordinance, edict, manifesto of the Roman magistrates (cf.: senatus consultum, scitum, jussum; “decretum, epistola, rescriptum), e. g. of the ediles,” Cic. Phil. 9, 7 fin.; id. Off. 3, 17, 71; Gell. 4, 2; Dig. 21, 1; “of a tribune of the people,” Cic. de Imp. Pomp. 19 fin.; “of a dictator,” Liv. 8, 34; “of the consuls,” id. 8, 7; 24, 8; “of the proconsuls,” id. 26, 12; “of Caesar in the civil war,” Caes. B. C. 2, 19; “of the emperor,” Just. Inst. 1, 2, 6; Vulg. Luc. 2, 1 (cf. decretum, epistola, rescriptum) et saep.—
2. Esp. freq. the public announcement of the praetor, in which he states, on entering upon his office, the rules by which he will be guided in administering justice (out of such legal regulations renewed and made more complete every year—edictum perpetuum, in contradistinction to edicta prout res incidit; cf. Eutr. 8, 17—there was gradually formed an important part of the body of Roman law), Cic. Verr. 2, 1, 41, § 105; 2, 3, 7; 14 sq.; id. Quint. 19; id. Fl. 28, 67 et saep.; cf. Sanders, Just. Inst. introd. p. xviii. sq.; xxiv. sq.; Just. Inst. 1, 2, 7; Rein's Privatr. p. 70 sq.; 80; 83, and the sources cited.—
B. Transf., in gen.
1. An order, command, Ter. Heaut. 4, 1, 10.—
2. A play-bill, order of games: “edictum et ladorum ordinem perlegere,” Sen. Ep. 117: “his mane edictum,” Pers. 1, 134 Gildersleeve ad loc.
