Dictionary
fi•at
Pronunciation: (fē'ät, -at; fī'ut, -at), [key]—
n.
1. an authoritative decree, sanction, or order:
a royal fiat.
2. a formula containing the word
fiat, by which a person in authority gives sanction.
3. an arbitrary decree or pronouncement, esp. by a person or group of persons having absolute authority to enforce it:
The king ruled by fiat. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.