absolutely necessary or required; unavoidable: It is imperative that we leave.
2.
of the nature of or expressing a command; commanding.
3.
Grammar. noting or pertaining to the mood of the verb used in commands, requests, etc., as in Listen! Go!Compare indicative(def. 2), subjunctive(def. 1).
–noun
4.
a command.
5.
something that demands attention or action; an unavoidable obligation or requirement; necessity: It is an imperative that we help defend friendly nations.
6.
Grammar.
a.
the imperative mood.
b.
a verb in this mood.
7.
an obligatory statement, principle, or the like.
[Origin: 1520–30; < LL imperātivus, equiv. to L imperāt(us) ptp. of imperāre to impose, order, command (im-im-1+ -per- (comb. form of parāre to fur-nish (with), produce, obtain, prepare) + -ātus-ate1) + -īvus-ive]
Expressing a command or plea; peremptory: requests that grew more and more imperative.
Having the power or authority to command or control.
Grammar Of, relating to, or constituting the mood that expresses a command or request.
Impossible to deter or evade; pressing: imperative needs. See Synonyms at urgent.
n.
A command; an order.
An obligation; a duty: social imperatives.
The imperative mood.
A verb form of the imperative mood.
A rule, principle, or instinct that compels a certain behavior: a people driven to aggression by territorial imperatives.
Grammar
The imperative mood.
A verb form of the imperative mood.
[Middle English imperatif, relating to the imperative mood, from Old French, from Late Latin imperātīvus, from Latin imperātus, past participle of imperāre, to command; see emperor.]
1530, from L.L. imperativus "pertaining to a command," from imperatus "commanded," pp. of imperare "to command, to requisition," from in- "in" + parare "beget, bear" (see pare).
requiring attention or action; "as nuclear weapons proliferate, preventing war becomes imperative"; "requests that grew more and more imperative" [ant: beseeching]
2.
relating to verbs in the imperative mood
noun
1.
a mood that expresses an intention to influence the listener's behavior [syn: imperative mood]
Em"per*or\, n. [OF. empereor, empereour, F. empereur, L. imperator, fr. imperare to command; in in + parare to prepare, order. See Parade, and cf. Imperative, Empress.] The sovereign or supreme monarch of an empire; -- a title of dignity superior to that of king; as, the emperor of Germany or of Austria; the emperor or Czar of Russia. Emperor goose (Zo["o]l.), a large and handsome goose (Philacte canagica), found in Alaska. Emperor moth (Zo["o]l.), one of several large and beautiful bombycid moths, with transparent spots on the wings; as the American Cecropia moth (Platysamia cecropia), and the European species (Saturnia pavonia). Emperor paper. See under Paper. Purple emperor (Zo["o]l.), a large, strong British butterfly (Apatura iris).
Im*per"a*tive\, a. [L. imperativus, fr. imperare to command; pref. im- in + parare to make ready, prepare: cf. F. imp['e]ratif. See Perade, and cf. Empire.]1. Expressive of command; containing positive command; authoritatively or absolutely directive; commanding; authoritative; as, imperative orders. The suit of kings are imperative. --Bp. Hall. 2. Not to be avoided or evaded; obligatory; binding; compulsory; as, an imperative duty or order. 3. (Gram.) Expressive of commund, entreaty, advice, or exhortation; as, the imperative mood.
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Audio Help [im-per-uh-tiv] Pronunciation Key 
