51Թ

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View synonyms for

dictate

[ verb dik-teyt, dik-teyt; noun 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:

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
“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

noun

  1. an authoritative command
  2. a guiding principle or rule

    the dictates of reason

“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
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • 徱t·Բ· adverb
  • ·徱t· adjective
  • ·徱tٱ verb (used with object) predictated predictating
  • ·徱tٱ verb redictated redictating
  • ܲ·徱t· adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of dictate1

First recorded in 1585–95; from Latin 徱ٳܲ “said repeatedly,” past participle of “to say repeatedly, order, prescribe,” from ī “to say, speak, tell”
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of dictate1

C17: from Latin to say repeatedly, order, from ī to say
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Although it’s true that much of that money carries strings dictating how it must be spent, the university says that its income provides about $756 million a year for the university budget.

From

One way is via the value of the pound and exchange rates, which dictate the cost to UK businesses importing goods and raw materials from abroad.

From

Pete Actipis says makers like him are "not here to dictate anything other than an outlet for enjoyment and entertainment for a player".

From

Universities, meanwhile, are now allowing the federal government to dictate their policies under threat of losing federal funding.

From

In Europe, precedent dictates four of those weeks are for the winter window, leaving 12 in the summer.

From

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