INTERDICTUM

interdictum (in-t<<schwa>>r-dik-t<<schwa>>m), n. [Latin] Roman law. A summary order to secure the applicant’s rights by preventing something from being done (prohibitory interdict) or requiring property to be produced (exhibitory interdict) or restored (restitutory interdict). • A party might apply for an interdictum when some wrong had been done, or was likely to be done, and it was necessary either to redress or to prevent the wrong at once, without waiting for the ordinary legal processes; often it was a preliminary to an ordinary action (e.g., by settling which party was entitled to be defendant in the action). Pl. interdicta.

[Blacks Law 8th]