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

That process, known as lithography, is what dictates the power and performance of chips.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A warning: One-sided deals, those that are dictated rather than require compromise, often don’t last.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Like Spears, Federline's book details their intimate and chaotic relationship, the mental anguish they both suffered and provides an inside glimpse at the conservatorship battle that dictated much of Spears' life and career.

Read more on BBC

He let the weather itself dictate the type of immersive experience the album could be, even as it also chronicles his layered chase for notoriety and glory.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But Lecornu said a single party could not dictate the parliament's decisions, and urged instead "a culture of demanding debate between lawmakers who initially have different convictions".

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• govern 
• guide 
• impose 
• lay down 
• prescribe