1a form of written command in the name of a court or other legal authority to act, or abstain from acting, in a particular way:the two reinstated officers issued a writ for libel against the applicantsan action begun by writ or summons
chiefly British a Crown document summoning a peer to Parliament or ordering the election of a member or members of Parliament.
(one's writ) one’s power to enforce compliance or submission; one’s authority:you have business here which is out of my writ and competence
