1. an official edict or announcement: "the tsar published a rescript which brought the government's reformist intentions into the public domain"
▪ a Roman emperor's written reply to an appeal for guidance, especially on a legal point.
▪ the Pope's decision on a question of Roman Catholic doctrine or papal law.
Word Originlate Middle English (denoting a papal decision): from Latin rescriptum, neuter past participle of rescribere ‘write back’, from re- ‘back’ + scribere ‘write’.