Connected with a political mandate, especially the system in which a state administered a territory under League of Nations authority.
Examples
The archive contains maps of Mandatory Palestine.
The treaty shaped the mandatory system after the war.
Britain acted as a mandatory power in Palestine.
Researchers compared several mandatory territories in the Middle East.
The mandatory administration kept detailed land records.
The term mandatory has a special meaning in League of Nations history.
Similar words
mandated
trusteeship
protectorate
administered
colonial
territorial
League
Holder of a mandate
noun
history
formal
A person, organization, or state that has been given a mandate, especially a nation entrusted with administering a mandate territory.
Examples
The mandatory reported to the League of Nations.
Historians debate how much freedom each mandatory had.
A mandatory was expected to administer the territory under international supervision.
The document names the mandatory and describes its duties.
Several former mandatories kept extensive colonial records.
In this treaty, the mandatory could not annex the territory outright.
Similar words
mandatary
mandate-holder
administrator
trustee
governor
authority
power
Etymology
From Late Latin mandatorius, meaning belonging to one who commands, through the family of mandate. The core idea is an authoritative command or commission.
FAQ
What does mandatory mean?
Mandatory means required by a law, rule, order, policy, or other authority.
Is mandatory the same as compulsory?
Yes. Compulsory, required, and obligatory are common synonyms for mandatory.
What is the opposite of mandatory?
The main opposites of mandatory are optional, voluntary, discretionary, and elective.
Can mandatory mean optional?
No. Mandatory means there is no free choice, so using it for optional rules reverses the meaning.
What is the difference between mandatory and mandated?
Mandatory describes something required. Mandated usually means imposed or ordered by an authority.
What does Mandatory Palestine mean?
Mandatory Palestine refers to Palestine under a League of Nations mandate, not to something that was simply required.
Can mandatory be a noun?
Yes, but it is rare and formal. A mandatory is a mandate-holder, especially a state administering a mandate territory.
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