Thesaurus: dictate

Related headwords

Definitions

1. v. t. To tell or utter so that another may write down; to inspire; to compose; as, to dictate a letter to an amanuensis.
2. v. t. To say; to utter; to communicate authoritatively; to deliver (a command) to a subordinate; to declare with authority; to impose; as, to dictate the terms of a treaty; a general dictates orders to his troops.
3. v. i. To speak as a superior; to command; to impose conditions (on).
4. v. i. To compose literary works; to tell what shall be written or said by another.
5. v. t. A statement delivered with authority; an order; a command; an authoritative rule, principle, or maxim; a prescription; as, listen to the dictates of your conscience; the dictates of the gospel.
6. n. an authoritative rule
7. n. a guiding principle
8. v. issue commands or orders for
9. v. say out loud for the purpose of recording
10. v. rule as a dictator
11. 1. To tell or utter so that another may write down; to inspire; to compose; as, to dictate a letter to an amanuensis. The mind which dictated the Iliad. Wayland. Pages dictated by the Holy Spirit. Macaulay. 2. To say; to utter; to communicate authoritatively; to deliver (a command) to a subordinate; to declare with authority; to impose; as, to dictate the terms of a treaty; a general dictates orders to his troops. Whatsoever is dictated to us by God must be believed. Watts. Syn. -- To suggest; prescribe; enjoin; command; point out; urge; admonish. 1. To speak as a superior; to command; to impose conditions (on). Who presumed to dictate to the sovereign. Macaulay. 2. To compose literary works; to tell what shall be written or said by another. Sylla could not skill of letters, and therefore knew not how to dictate. Bacon. A statement delivered with authority; an order; a command; an authoritative rule, principle, or maxim; a prescription; as, listen to the dictates of your conscience; the dictates of the gospel. I credit what the Grecian dictates say. Prior. Syn. -- Command; injunction; direction suggestion; impulse; admonition.
12. A statement delivered with authority; an order; a command; anauthoritative rule, principle, or maxim; a prescription; as, listento the dictates of your conscience; the dictates of the gospel.I credit what the Grecian dictates say. Prior.