fiat

nom

1. 1

   An arbitrary or authoritative command or order to do something; an effectual decree.

   A royal fiat.

   A presidential fiat.

   The reflection that the fate of a fellow-creature depended on his sole fiat, would naturally inspire scrupulousness and caution; [...]

   Beatrice raised her head: she looked at me as if on my words hung the fiat of life or death, fear and earnestness dilating her dark eyes—for an unconfessed hope had arisen within her.

2. 2

   Authorization, permission or (official) sanction.

   A government fiat.

   To rule by fiat.

3. 3

   A warrant of a judge for certain processes.

4. 4

   An authority for certain proceedings given by the Lord Chancellor's signature.

5. 5

   (Pertaining to) fiat currency.

   But let us trace a little more particularly the differences between the "fiat" dollar and the greenback. The greenback, in common with every bank note any of you have ever seen, contains a promise to pay dollars.

   But, say these men who claim for our Congress creative power, we will pass a law making these 'fiat' dollars legal tender for all debts, public and private.

   The gold dollar is as much a fiat dollar as the silver dollar or a paper dollar, for none of them are money without this fiat [of the government, that it is legal tender].

   All silver content in coins had to be removed from the currency supply, and fiat coins (or tokens) had to take their place.

verbe

1. 1

   To make (something) happen.

2. 2

   To issue a fiat.

   For quotations using this term, see Citations:fiat.

Formes

pluriel

fiats

passé

fiated

participe passé

fiated

participe présent

fiating

3ᵉ personne du singulier

fiats