Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DE-CREE', n. [L. decretum, from decerno, to judge; de and cerno, to judge, to divide; Fr. decret; It. and Sp. decreto.]

1. Judicial decision, or determination of a litigated cause; as, a decree of the court of chancery. The decision of a court of equity is called a decree; that of a court of law, a judgment.
2. In the civil law, a determination or judgment of the emperor on a suit between parties. – Encyc.
3. An edict or law made by a council for regulating any business within their jurisdiction; as, the decrees of ecclesiastical councils. – Encyc.
4. In general, an order, edict or law made by a superior as a rule to govern inferiors. There went a decree from Cesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. – Luke ii.
5. Established law, or rule. He made a decree for the rain. – Job xxviii.
6. In theology, predetermined purpose of God; the purpose or determination of an immutable Being, whose plan of operations is, like himself, unchangeable.