man·da·mus /man-'dā-məs/ n [Latin, we enjoin, from mandare to enjoin]: an extraordinary writ issued by a court of competent jurisdiction to an inferior tribunal, a public official, an administrative agency, a corporation, or any person compelling the performance of an act usu. only when there is a duty under the law to perform the act, the plaintiff has a clear right to such performance, and there is no other adequate remedy available; also: an action in the nature of a writ of mandamus in jurisdictions where the writ is abolished compare cease-and-desist order at order, injunction, stay
◇ Mandamus is an extraordinary remedy and is issued usu. only to command the performance of a ministerial act. It cannot be used to substitute the court's judgment for the defendant's in the performance of a discretionary act.
mandamus vb
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.