dictates
Use Dictates in a sentence
teɪt, dɪkˈteɪt; verb (used with object)
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)
3.
to say or read aloud something to be written down by a person or recorded by a machine.
4.
to give orders.
noun
5.
an authoritative order or command.
6.
a guiding or governing principle, requirement, etc.: to follow the dictates of one's conscience.
Origin:
1585–95; < Latin dictātus, past participle of dictāre to say repeatedly, prescribe, order, frequentative of dīcere to say
1585–95; < Latin dictātus, past participle of dictāre to say repeatedly, prescribe, order, frequentative of dīcere to say
Related forms
dic·tat·ing·ly, adverb
mis·dic·tat·ed, adjective
pre·dic·tate, verb (used with object), pre·dic·tat·ed, pre·dic·tat·ing.
re·dic·tate, verb, re·dic·tat·ed, re·dic·tat·ing.
un·dic·tat·ed, adjective
Synonyms
6. bidding, urging, prompting.
6. bidding, urging, prompting.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To dictates
00:10
Dictates
is always a great word to know.
So is bezoar. Does it mean:
| a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison. |
| an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
| dictate | |
| —vb | |
| 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 |
| —n | |
| 4. | an authoritative command |
| 5. | a guiding principle or rule: the dictates of reason |
| [C17: from Latin dictāre to say repeatedly, order, from dīcere to say] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
dictate
1590s, "to practice dictation," from L. dictatus, pp. of dictare "say often, prescribe," frequentative of dicere "tell, say" (see diction). Sense of "command" is 1620s. The noun is from 1590s. Related: Dictated; dictates; dictating.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
And they'll say that it dictates your medical choices and gives government too much control.
Already, the schedule dictates a minimum amount of time between doses of vaccines.
The number of guests dictates which sites can accommodate your wedding ceremony.
Dendrimers form nanometer by nanometer, so the number of synthetic steps dictates their exact size.
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