or EDDY WATER, among seamen, is where the water runs back contrary to the tide; or that which hinders the free passage of the stream, and so causes it to return again.

EDDY-WIND is that which returns, or is beat back from a sail, mountain, or anything that may hinder its passage.

EDESSA. See Orfa.

EDIT, in matters of polity, an order or instrument, signed and sealed by a prince, to serve as a law to his subjects. We find frequent mention of the edicts of the praetor, the ordinances of that officer in the Roman law. In the French law, the edicts are of several kinds: some importing a new law or regulation; others, the erection of new offices; establishments of duties, rents, &c. and sometimes articles of pacification. In France, edicts are much the same as a proclamation is with us; but with this difference, that the former have the authority of a law in themselves, from the power which issues them forth; whereas the latter are only declarations of a law, to which they refer, and have no power in themselves.