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dictate definition

dic·tate (dik′tāt′; also, for v. dik tāt′)

transitive verb, intransitive verb dictated -·tat′ed, dictating -·tat′·ing

  1. to speak or read (something) aloud for someone else to write down
  2. to prescribe or command forcefully
  3. to impose or give (orders) with or as with authority
  4. to give (orders or instructions) arbitrarily

Etymology: < L dictatus, pp. of dictare, freq. of dicere, to speak: see diction

noun

  1. an authoritative command
  2. a guiding principle or requirement the dictates of conscience

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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