dictate
pronunciation
How to pronounce dictate in British English:
UK [dɪkˈteɪt]
How to pronounce dictate in American English:
US [ ˈdɪkteɪt]
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- Noun:
- an authoritative rule
- a guiding principle
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- Verb:
- issue commands or orders for
- say out loud for the purpose of recording
- rule as a dictator
Word Origin
- dictate (v.)
- 1590s, "to practice dictation, say aloud for another to write down," from Latin dictatus, past participle of dictare "say often, prescribe," frequentative of dicere "tell, say" (see diction). Sense of "to command" is 1620s. Related: Dictated; dictates; dictating.
- dictate (n.)
- 1590s, from Latin dictatum "something dictated," noun use of neuter past participle of dictare (see dictate (v.)).
Example
- 1. The international capitalists dictate and the nation 's sovereignty becomes a sham .
- 2. They make good media copy , but they should not dictate everyone else 's life .
- 3. Relative scale matters : rhode island runs a trade deficit with the other 49 american states but does not dictate terms to them .
- 4. My business ( instead of my boss ) dictate what I have to do everyday .
- 5. Of course , an education secretary can 't exactly dictate reform from on high .