<P> An ukase, or ukaz (/ juːˈkeɪs /; Russian: указ (ʊˈkas), formally "imposition"), in Imperial Russia, was a proclamation of the tsar, government, or a religious leader (patriarch) that had the force of law . "Edict" and "decree" are adequate translations using the terminology and concepts of Roman law . </P> <P> From the Russian term, the word ukase has entered the English language with the meaning of "any proclamation or decree; an order or regulation of a final or arbitrary nature". </P>

Imperial russian edict or decree that had the force of law