an authoritative command from a superior
an authorization to act on behalf of another, e.g.:
in law, a commission to a person to carry out a particular task gratuitously
written permission to somebody to use another person's bank account for transactions
the authority to act on behalf of the electorate perceived as given to the winner of an election
formerly, an order granted by the League of Nations to a member nation for the establishment of a responsible government over a conquered territory
a mandated territory
[early French mandat from Latin mandatum, neuter past part. of mandare to entrust, command, from manus hand + dare to give]