What does interdictor mean?
An interdictor is a person or authority that issues an interdict: a formal prohibition against doing something. The term belongs especially to legal and ecclesiastical language, where an interdict may restrain conduct, prevent access to property, or forbid the performance of an activity. In modern usage, it is uncommon but precise, and it emphasizes the official source of the prohibition rather than merely describing someone who objects. The related verb is interdict, and the abstract noun is interdiction. Although the word is sometimes used more broadly for any person who blocks or forbids something, its clearest traditional application is to a legal authority empowered to impose a prohibition.
nounAn interdictor is a person or authority that issues an interdict, especially a legal order prohibiting a particular action. The term is chiefly used in legal contexts.
- A person or authority that issues an interdict or formally prohibits an action.
"The court appointed an interdictor to prevent the company from accessing the disputed records."
"The judge appointed an interdictor to stop the construction work."
"Under the ancient rules, the interdictor could prevent the use of the disputed property."
The plural is formed by adding -s.
"The records named several interdictors who had issued formal prohibitions."
An interdictor is not merely someone who objects: in legal usage, the word denotes the person or authority empowered to impose a prohibition.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does interdictor come from?
The word comes through Latin from interdicere, meaning to forbid or prohibit. The suffix -tor forms an agent noun, so interdictor literally means one who interdicts. English borrowed the word in a legal context, where it referred to an official or authority that issued an interdict; related forms include interdict and interdiction.
Related word forms
How interdictor is actually used
This is a formal and relatively uncommon legal term. It is most often used with judicial or ecclesiastical prohibitions.