dictate

[ verb dik-teyt, dik-teyt; noun dik-teyt ]
/ verb ˈdɪk teɪt, dɪkˈteɪt; noun ˈdɪk teɪt /

verb (used with object), dic·tat·ed, dic·tat·ing.

to say or read (something) aloud for another person to transcribe or for a machine to record: to dictate some letters to a secretary.
to prescribe or lay down authoritatively or peremptorily; command unconditionally: to dictate peace terms to a conquered enemy.

verb (used without object), dic·tat·ed, dic·tat·ing.

to say or read aloud something to be written down by a person or recorded by a machine.
to give orders.

noun

an authoritative order or command.
a guiding or governing principle, requirement, etc.: to follow the dictates of one's conscience.

Origin of dictate

1585–95; < Latin dictātus, past participle of dictāre to say repeatedly, prescribe, order, frequentative of dīcere to say

SYNONYMS FOR dictate

6 bidding, urging, prompting.

OTHER WORDS FROM dictate

Example sentences from the Web for dictate

British Dictionary definitions for dictate

dictate

verb (dɪkˈteɪt)

to say (messages, letters, speeches, etc) aloud for mechanical recording or verbatim transcription by another person
(tr) to prescribe (commands) authoritatively
(intr) to act in a tyrannical manner; seek to impose one's will on others

noun (ˈdɪkteɪt)

an authoritative command
a guiding principle or rule the dictates of reason

Word Origin for dictate

C17: from Latin dictāre to say repeatedly, order, from dīcere to say