DICTATE Meaning and
Definition
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Dictate is a verb that is used to describe the action of giving authoritative orders or commands to someone. When someone dictates, they are exerting supremacy or control over others, directing them in what they should do or say. This can involve making decisions or giving instructions that others are expected to comply with unquestionably.
In a broader sense, dictate can also refer to the act of stating or prescribing a rule, policy, or principle that is considered binding or inflexible. It implies a position of influence or dominance in which one's opinions or beliefs are imposed on others without much room for discussion or divergence.
Dictate often implies that the person issuing the orders expects strict adherence to their instructions, leaving little or no room for negotiation or individual judgment. It suggests a one-way flow of power or authority, where the person who dictates is engaging in an act of control over those who receive the instructions.
In addition to formal contexts such as business or politics, dictate can also be used in a more informal or metaphorical manner. For example, one might say that the weather or circumstances dictate a particular course of action, meaning that these external factors make it necessary or inevitable to act in a certain way.
Overall, dictate conveys a sense of authority, control, and dominance in directing or prescribing actions, orders, or rules that others are expected to follow.
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• To tell or order with authority; to utter words that are to be committed to writing by another; to suggest; to direct.
• An order delivered; a rule or maxim; a suggestion to the mind, as a rule or direction.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for DICTATE *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for DICTATE
Etymology of DICTATE
The word "dictate" is derived from the Latin verb "dictare", which means "to dictate, order, prescribe". It comes from the past participle form of the verb "dicere", meaning "to say, speak". In Latin, "dictare" originally referred to the act of dictating a message for transcription by another person, specifically a scribe or secretary. Over time, the word expanded in its usage to encompass the general sense of issuing commands or instructions with authority, which it retains in its modern English usage.
Idioms with the word DICTATE
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dictate (sth) to sm
The idiom "dictate (something) to someone" generally means to give orders or commands to someone in an authoritative or controlling manner, especially when requiring them to do something in a specific way or according to one's own preferences or instructions.
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dictate to (one)
The idiom "dictate to (one)" means to give orders or commands to someone in a forceful or authoritative manner, without giving them the opportunity to question or express their own opinion. It implies a one-way communication where the person giving the orders assumes complete control and expects obedience.
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dictate (something) to someone
The idiom "dictate (something) to someone" means to give orders or command someone in an autocratic or controlling manner, without considering their opinion or input. It implies a one-sided decision-making process where one person has complete authority and dominance over the other. It can also refer to forcibly imposing one's views or ideas onto someone else.
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dictate to
The idiom "dictate to" means to order, command or direct someone in a forceful or controlling manner. It refers to the act of issuing strict instructions or exerting one's authority over others, often without considering their opinions or objections.
Similar spelling words for DICTATE
Conjugate verb Dictate
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have dictated
you
would have dictated
he/she/it
would have dictated
we
would have dictated
they
would have dictated
I
would have dictate
you
would have dictate
he/she/it
would have dictate
we
would have dictate
they
would have dictate
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been dictating
you
would have been dictating
he/she/it
would have been dictating
we
would have been dictating
they
would have been dictating
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would dictate
you
would dictate
he/she/it
would dictate
we
would dictate
they
would dictate
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be dictating
you
would be dictating
he/she/it
would be dictating
we
would be dictating
they
would be dictating
FUTURE
I
will dictate
you
will dictate
he/she/it
will dictate
we
will dictate
they
will dictate
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be dictating
you
will be dictating
he/she/it
will be dictating
we
will be dictating
they
will be dictating
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have dictated
you
will have dictated
he/she/it
will have dictated
we
will have dictated
they
will have dictated
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been dictating
you
will have been dictating
he/she/it
will have been dictating
we
will have been dictating
they
will have been dictating
IMPERATIVE
you
dictate
we
let´s dictate
to dictate
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was dictating
you
were dictating
he/she/it
was dictating
we
were dictating
they
were dictating
PAST PARTICIPLE
dictated
PAST PERFECT
I
had dictated
you
had dictated
he/she/it
had dictated
we
had dictated
they
had dictated
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been dictating
you
had been dictating
he/she/it
had been dictating
we
had been dictating
they
had been dictating
PRESENT
I
dictate
you
dictate
he/she/it
dictates
we
dictate
they
dictate
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am dictating
you
are dictating
he/she/it
is dictating
we
are dictating
they
are dictating
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
dictating
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have dictated
you
have dictated
he/she/it
has dictated
we
have dictated
they
have dictated
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been dictating
you
have been dictating
he/she/it
has been dictating
we
have been dictating
they
have been dictating
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
dictate
SIMPLE PAST
I
dictated
you
dictated
he/she/it
dictated
we
dictated
they
dictated
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