man·da·mus 
(măn-dāməs) Law
(măn-dāməs) Law n.
1. A writ issued by a court requiring a public official or entity to perform a duty associated with that office or entity.
2. A legal proceeding seeking such a writ.
tr.v. man·da·mused, man·da·mus·ing, man·da·mus·es
To serve or compel with such a writ.
[Latin mandāmus, we order (used in such a writ), first person pl. present tense of mandāre, to order; see man-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]