ukase

n.

1. An authoritative order or decree; an edict.
2. A proclamation of a czar having the force of law in imperial Russia.

[French, from Russian ukaz, decree, from Old Church Slavonic ukazŭ, a showing, proof : u-, at, to + kazati, to point out, show.]

(yoo-KAYS, yoo-KAYZ, YOO-kays, YOO-kayz)

noun
An arbitrary proclamation or order; edict.

Etymology
After ukaz, a decree issued by a Russian czar having the force of law. From French, from Russian ukaz (decree), from Old Church Slavonic ukazu (proof), from ukazati, from u- (at, away) + kazati (to show).

Usage
"Guardian journalists are to be discouraged from signing petitions, speaking at public meetings, joining marches or, heaven forbid, standing for parliament, a ukase that would have dramatically affected the political ambitions of C P Scott, Morgan Phillips Price, Lena Jeger, Martin Linton, Polly Toynbee, Malcolm Dean, Christopher Huhne and, indeed, the present writer." — Richard Gott, The Lost Magic of Manchester, The New Statesman (London), Jan 28, 2002.

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How can you convey most forcefully your belief that a Supreme Court opinion lacks democratic validity? You can liken it to a czarist decree:

"In his Roe opinion, Justice Harry Blackmun purported to find in the 'penumbras' and 'emanations' of the Constitution the right to abortion. His ukase struck down 50 state laws, but, more destructively, he also stopped democracy cold."

Link: OpinionJournal - Abortion and the Law

Posted November 6, 2005.

See our Word Overheard blog to see interesting uses of strange words.

IN BRIEF: A ruling of a Russian czar. Also: Any official decree.

A ukase was decreed that every family will pay higher taxes to support the czar's family.

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