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imperative

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im⋅per⋅a⋅tive

  [im-per-uh-tiv]
–adjective
1. 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.
Use imperative in a Sentence
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 -ate 1 ) + -īvus -ive

Related forms:
im⋅per⋅a⋅tive⋅ly, adverb
im⋅per⋅a⋅tive⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. inescapable; indispensable, essential; exigent, compelling.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
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im·per·a·tive   (ĭm-pěr'ə-tĭv)   
adj.  

  1. Expressing a command or plea; peremptory: requests that grew more and more imperative.

  2. Having the power or authority to command or control.

  3. Grammar Of, relating to, or constituting the mood that expresses a command or request.

  4. Impossible to deter or evade; pressing: imperative needs. See Synonyms at urgent.

n.  

    1. A command; an order.

    2. An obligation; a duty: social imperatives.

    3. The imperative mood.

    4. A verb form of the imperative mood.

  2. A rule, principle, or instinct that compels a certain behavior: a people driven to aggression by territorial imperatives.

  3. Grammar

    1. The imperative mood.

    2. 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.]
im·per'a·tive·ly adv., im·per'a·tive·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

imperative

A grammatical category describing verbs that command or request: “Leave town by tonight”; “Please hand me the spoon.”

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

imperative 
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).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: im·per·a·tive
Pronunciation: im-'per-&t-iv
Function: adjective
: eliciting a motor response imperativestimulus>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Computing Dictionary

imperative
imperative language

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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