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Glite Dictionary
firman

firman

9.9
A written official order from a ruler, often in the Ottoman Empire
  • noun
  • /ˈfɪr.mən/
  • Archaic
translation icon : firman
  • The sultan issued a firman to ensure peace among the different religious groups in the empire.

Examples

  • Historical documents show that a firman was essential for trade agreements during the Ottoman period.

  • All are governed by a firman or Ottoman proclamation dividing up control of each church between the different Christian denominations.

    Academic text (1996)

  • The governor announced that any changes to the law would require a firman from the sultan.

Synonyms

order
vsfirman
∞ 3.0

An instruction from someone in power that must be followed

is the specific term for a ruler's formal decree in empire contexts
directive
vsfirman
  • Formal
128 6.1

An official instruction from a government or organization

is a formal ruler's decree rather than a routine administrative instruction
fiat
vsfirman
  • Formal
34 8.5

An official order that a government or person in power gives

is a ruler's public decree used historically in an imperial setting
edict
vsfirman
  • Formal
27 7.2

An official order from a person or government in power that people must follow

is issued by a ruler and connected to Ottoman imperial practice
imperial decree
vsfirman
  • Formal
1 8.4

An official order from an emperor or ruler that people must follow

is specific to a ruler and tied historically to the Ottoman Empire
ordainment
vsfirman
  • Archaic
9.9

An official rule made by a ruler or council

is specifically a ruler's decree linked to Ottoman usage

Surface Forms

firman singular
firmans plural

Etymology

The word firman comes from Persian farmān, meaning 'order' or 'decree', and was used for official commands by Ottoman rulers. So a firman is an official 'order' or 'decree' from a ruler.