Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Dictate
Dic′tate
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Dictated
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Dictating
.] 1.
To tell or utter so that another may write down; to inspire; to compose;
as, to
. dictate
a letter to an amanuensisThe mind which
dictated
the Iliad. Wayland.
Pages
dictated
by the Holy Spirit. Macaulay.
2.
To say; to utter; to communicate authoritatively; to deliver (a command) to a subordinate; to declare with authority; to impose;
as, to
dictate
the terms of a treaty; a general dictates
orders to his troops.
Syn. – To suggest; prescribe; enjoin; command; point out; urge; admonish.
Dic′tate
,Verb.
I.
1.
To speak as a superior; to command; to impose conditions (on).
Who presumed to
dictate
to the sovereign. Macaulay.
2.
To compose literary works; to tell what shall be written or said by another.
Sylla could not skill of letters, and therefore knew not how to
dictate
. Bacon.
Dic′tate
,Noun.
A statement delivered with authority; an order; a command; an authoritative rule, principle, or maxim; a prescription;
as, listen to the
dictates
of your conscience; the dictates
of the gospel.
Syn. – Command; injunction; direction suggestion; impulse; admonition.
Webster 1828 Edition
Dictate
DICTATE
,Verb.
T.
1.
To tell with authority; to deliver, as an order, command, or direction; as, what God has dictated, it is our duty to believe.2.
To order or instruct what is to be said or written; as, a general dictates orders to his troops.3.
To suggest; to admonish; to direct by impulse on the mind. We say, the spirit of God dictated the messages of the prophets to Israel. Conscience often dictates to men the rules by which they are to govern their conduct.DICTATE
,Noun.
1.
An order delivered; a command.2.
A rule, maxim or precept, delivered with authority.I credit what the Grecian dictates say.
3.
Suggestion; rule or direction suggested to the mind; as the dictates of reason or conscience.