dictate

[dik-teyt, dik-teyt, dik-teyt]

verb (used with object)

dictated, dictating 

1. to say or read (something) aloud for another person to transcribe or for a machine to record.

   to dictate some letters to a secretary.

2. to prescribe or lay down authoritatively or peremptorily; command unconditionally.

   to dictate peace terms to a conquered enemy.

verb (used without object)

dictated, dictating 

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

2. to give orders.

noun

1. an authoritative order or command.

2. a guiding or governing principle, requirement, etc..

   to follow the dictates of one's conscience.

   Synonyms: bidding

dictate

verb

1. to say (messages, letters, speeches, etc) aloud for mechanical recording or verbatim transcription by another person

2. (tr) to prescribe (commands) authoritatively

3. (intr) to act in a tyrannical manner; seek to impose one's will on others

noun

1. an authoritative command

2. a guiding principle or rule

   the dictates of reason

Other Word Forms

• dictatingly adverb
• misdictated adjective
• predictate verb (used with object)
• redictate verb
• undictated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dictate¹

First recorded in 1585–95; from Latin dictātus “said repeatedly,” past participle of dictāre “to say repeatedly, order, prescribe,” from dīcere “to say, speak, tell”

Word History and Origins

Origin of dictate¹

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

Example Sentences

There is also the context of the budget cap, and the fact that as world champions, the rules dictated that they were permitted less aerodynamic development time than any other team.

From BBC

McLaren's internal rules dictate that the drivers are free to race but must not make contact with each other.

From BBC

On the boos, O'Neill added: "You have to deal with all the noise around you. You can't allow it to dictate everything, but you can't avoid it."

From BBC

To begin with, the pair's practice focused on sleek, stripped-down buildings with little or no ornament, in which a structure's function was meant to dictate its form.

From BBC

But the flow of the game dictates whether that plays out.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• govern 
• guide 
• impose 
• lay down 
• prescribe