Dictate word meaning and definition

[noun] a guiding principle; "the dictates of reason"
[noun] an authoritative rule
[verb] say out loud for the purpose of recording; "He dictated a report to his secretary"
[verb] issue commands or orders for
[verb] rule as a dictator

\Dic"tate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dictated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Dictating}.] [L. dictatus, p. p. of dictare, freq. of dicere to say. See {Diction}, and cf. {Dight}.] 1. To tell or utter so that another may write down; to inspire; to compose; as, to dictate a letter to an amanuensis. The mind which dictated the Iliad. --Wayland. Pages dictated by the Holy Spirit. --Macaulay. 2. To say; to utter; to communicate authoritatively; to deliver (a command) to a subordinate; to declare with authority; to impose; as, to dictate the terms of a treaty; a general dictates orders to his troops. Whatsoever is dictated to us by God must be believed. --Watts. Syn: To suggest; prescribe; enjoin; command; point out; urge; admonish.
\Dic"tate\, v. i. 1. To speak as a superior; to command; to impose conditions (on). Who presumed to dictate to the sovereign. --Macaulay. 2. To compose literary works; to tell what shall be written or said by another. Sylla could not skill of letters, and therefore knew not how to dictate. --Bacon.
\Dic"tate\, n. [L. dictatum. See {Dictate}, v. t.] A statement delivered with authority; an order; a command; an authoritative rule, principle, or maxim; a prescription; as, listen to the dictates of your conscience; the dictates of the gospel. I credit what the Grecian dictates say. --Prior. Syn: Command; injunction; direction suggestion; impulse; admonition.

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