Required by law or rule; compulsory and not optional.
From Latin 'mandare' meaning 'to command' or 'entrust,' formed from 'manus' (hand) + 'dare' (to give). Originally referred to giving someone authority 'by hand,' evolving to mean commands that must be obeyed.
The 'hand' component reveals how ancient authority was literally handed over - think of passing a staff of office or written orders. This physical gesture of authority still echoes in modern phrases like 'hands-on management' and explains why mandatory things feel like direct commands rather than suggestions.
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