Dictate — Defs

01 v. t. To tell or utter so that another may write down; to inspire; to compose; as, to dictate a letter to an amanuensis.

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 amanuensis.
“The 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.
“Whatsoever is dictated to us by God must be believed.” — Watts.

Syn. To suggest; prescribe; enjoin; command; point out; urge; admonish.

02 v. i. To speak as a superior; to command; to impose conditions (on).

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.

03 n. A statement delivered with authority; an order; a command; an authoritative rule, principle, or maxim; a prescription; as, listen to the di…

1.
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.
“I credit what the Grecian dictates say.” — Prior.