Definition of: mandamus

(man·dā′məs) noun
Law A writ originally (in England) of royal prerogative, now a writ of right, issued by courts of superior jurisdiction and directed to subordinate courts, corporations, or the like, commanding them to do something therein specified: modified by statute from the ordinary common law form in jurisdiction.
—v.t. Colloq. To command by or serve with a mandamus. [<L, we command <mandare. See MANDATE.]