| v. t. | 1. | To tell or utter so that another may write down; to inspire; to compose; |
| 2. | To say; to utter; to communicate authoritatively; to deliver (a command) to a subordinate; to declare with authority; to impose; | |
| v. i. | 1. | To speak as a superior; to command; to impose conditions (on). |
| 2. | To compose literary works; to tell what shall be written or said by another. | |
| n. | 1. | A statement delivered with authority; an order; a command; an authoritative rule, principle, or maxim; a prescription; |
| Noun | 1. | dictate - an authoritative rule |
| 2. | dictate - a guiding principle; "the dictates of reason" | |
| Verb | 1. | dictate - issue commands or orders for |
| 2. | dictate - say out loud for the purpose of recording; "He dictated a report to his secretary" | |
| 3. | dictate - rule as a dictator |
TO DICTATE. To pronounce word for word what is destined to be at the same time written by another. Merlin Rep. mot Suggestion, p. 5 00; Toull. Dr. Civ. Fr. liv. 3, t. 2, c. 5, n. 410.
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