Decretata

Decretata is a Latin term that can function as the neuter plural form of the participle decretatus, from the verb decretare (to decree). In this usage, decretata can be treated as a substantive meaning “things decreed” or, more broadly, “decrees.” The form is most often encountered in ecclesiastical or legal Latin, where it may appear as a heading or as a descriptive label within a manuscript or codex.

In practice, decretata may be used to introduce or summarize decreed matters, decisions, or rulings issued by a pope, council, or other authority. While "decretata" is grammatically valid in Latin, it is less common in contemporary discussions than other terms such as decreta or decretales. The feminine plural decretatae would refer to decreed things associated with feminine nouns, while decretata as neuter plural can refer to decreed items in general.

As a scholarly term, decretata is most likely to appear in philological, historical, or canon-law contexts when examining medieval or early modern texts that organize decrees or decreed material under a collective heading. It is important to distinguish decretata from more widely used equivalents like decreta (decrees) or decretales (papal decretals), which have clearer and more specific modern usage.

See also: decreta, decretales, decretum, papal decretals, canon law, medieval Latin.