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dictate
[ verb dik-teyt, dik-teyt; noun dik-teyt ]
verb (used with object)
- to say or read (something) aloud for another person to transcribe or for a machine to record:
to dictate some letters to a secretary.
- to prescribe or lay down authoritatively or peremptorily; command unconditionally:
to dictate peace terms to a conquered enemy.
verb (used without object)
- to say or read aloud something to be written down by a person or recorded by a machine.
- to give orders.
noun
- an authoritative order or command.
- a guiding or governing principle, requirement, etc.:
to follow the dictates of one's conscience.
Synonyms: bidding
dictate
verb
- to say (messages, letters, speeches, etc) aloud for mechanical recording or verbatim transcription by another person
- tr to prescribe (commands) authoritatively
- intr to act in a tyrannical manner; seek to impose one's will on others
noun
- an authoritative command
- a guiding principle or rule
the dictates of reason
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Other Words From
- dictat·ing·ly adverb
- mis·dictat·ed adjective
- pre·dictate verb (used with object) predictated predictating
- re·dictate verb redictated redictating
- un·dictat·ed adjective
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Word History and Origins
Origin of dictate1
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Word History and Origins
Origin of dictate1
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Example Sentences
Moral clarity would dictate that civil-rights and other civic leaders would speak out against such a senseless act of violence.
Neither trusts the other, yet cultural norms dictate that everyone remain cordial.
So, in short, everyone knows Leung is a mere puppet with zero power and will read out whatever the communists dictate to him.
Because the federal government really should dictate all that, right?
How could I forget his dictate to always be proud to be a Jew, even in circumstances when it might not seem to ones advantage?
Even the purest selfishness would dictate a policy of social insurance.
Do not let scandal or a mere love of gossip dictate a letter of intelligence.
It is not the desire to deceive, but the desire to please, which will dictate such a course.
France would never again send a Barillon to dictate to the cabinet of England.
It was disputed among the Mussulmans whether it was eternal or God had created it in order to dictate it to Mahomet.
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