Dictate Definition

dĭktāt, dĭk-tāt
dictated, dictates, dictating
verb
dictated, dictates, dictating
To speak or read (something) aloud for someone else to write down.
Webster's New World
To impose or give (orders) with or as with authority.
Webster's New World
To prescribe or command forcefully.
Webster's New World
To say or read aloud material to be recorded or written by another.
Dictated for an hour before leaving for the day.
American Heritage
To give (orders or instructions) arbitrarily.
Webster's New World
noun
dictates
An authoritative command.
Webster's New World
A guiding principle or requirement.
The dictates of conscience.
Webster's New World
Antonyms:

Other Word Forms of Dictate

Noun

Singular:
dictate
Plural:
dictates

Origin of Dictate

  • From Latin dictātus, perfect passive participle of dictō (“pronounce or declare repeatedly; dictate”), frequentative of dīcō (“say, speak”).

    From Wiktionary

  • Latin dictāre dictāt- frequentative of dīcere to say deik- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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