Nearby Words
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.
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Imperatives
is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
| a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare. |
Origin:
1520–30; < Late Latin imperātivus, equivalent to Latin imperāt(us) past participle of imperāre to impose, order, command (im- im-1 + -per- (combining form of parāre to fur-nish (with), produce, obtain, prepare) + -ātus -ate1) + -īvus -ive
1520–30; < Late Latin imperātivus, equivalent to Latin imperāt(us) past participle of imperāre to impose, order, command (im- im-1 + -per- (combining 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
non·im·per·a·tive, adjective
non·im·per·a·tive·ly, adverb
non·im·per·a·tive·ness, noun
EXPANDSynonyms
1. inescapable; indispensable, essential; exigent, compelling.
1. inescapable; indispensable, essential; exigent, compelling.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Link To imperatives
Etymonline
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, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary
imperative definition
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.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Dynamo By Dictionary.com
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