Skip to the word

Added 9 October 2026

interdict

/ˈɪntɚdɪkt/ noun

Latin root: interdīcō Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about interdict at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A papal decree prohibiting the administration of the sacraments from a political entity under the power of a single person (e.g., a king or an oligarchy with similar powers). Extreme unction/Anointing of the Sick is excepted.
An injunction.

verb

To exclude (someone or somewhere) from participation in church services; to place under a religious interdict. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
To forbid (an action or thing) by formal or legal sanction.
To forbid (someone) from doing something.

Origin

From Middle English entrediten, from Old French entredire (“forbid”), from Latin interdīcō (“prohibit, forbid”), from inter- (“between”) + dīcō (“say”), from Proto-Indo-European *deyḱ-.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Back to today's word