carte blanche - 09/20/03 06:15 PM
We all know what this means today, but here is a mention of it in its original sense, an order from a high authority for arrest or other action, with name left blank, to be filled in at the discretion of a lower authority.
"“Here, monsieur,” said the cardinal to the young man. “I have taken from you one carte blanche to give you another. The name is wanting in this commission; you can write it yourself.”
"“Here, monsieur,” said the cardinal to the young man. “I have taken from you one carte blanche to give you another. The name is wanting in this commission; you can write it yourself.”