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dictate

[verb dik-teyt, dik-teyt; noun dik-teyt]
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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.

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RELATED WORDS

impose, prescribe, guide, govern, speak, control, decree, set, lead, bid, manage, pronounce, direct, rule, ordain, charge, regiment, enjoin, instruct, bulldoze

Nearby words

  1. dicrotic wave,
  2. dicrotism,
  3. dict.,
  4. dicta,
  5. dictaphone,
  6. dictating machine,
  7. dictation,
  8. dictator,
  9. dictatorial,
  10. dictatorship

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.
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR dictate ON THESAURUS.COM
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for dictated

British Dictionary definitions for dictated

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 rulethe dictates of reason

Word Origin for dictate

C17: from Latin dictāre to say repeatedly, order, from dīcere to say
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for dictated
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper