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imperative
8 dictionary results for: imperative
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
im·per·a·tive       [im-per-uh-tiv] Pronunciation Key
–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.
[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]

—Related forms
im·per·a·tive·ly, adverb
im·per·a·tive·ness, noun

—Synonyms 1. inescapable; indispensable, essential; exigent, compelling.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
im·per·a·tive       (ĭm-pěr'ə-tĭv)  Pronunciation Key 
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.
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
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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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
imperative

adjective
1. 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] 
2. some duty that is essential and urgent 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition - Cite This Source - Share This
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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Free On-line Dictionary of Computing - Cite This Source - Share This

imperative
imperative language

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Imperative

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.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Imperative

Im*per"a*tive\, n. (Gram.) The imperative mood; also, a verb in the imperative mood.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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