imperative
pronunciation
How to pronounce imperative in British English:
UK [ɪmˈperətɪv]
How to pronounce imperative in American English:
US [ɪmˈperətɪv]
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- Noun:
- a mood that expresses an intention to influence the listener's behavior
- some duty that is essential and urgent
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- Adjective:
- requiring attention or action
- relating to verbs in the imperative mood
Word Origin
- imperative
- imperative: see empire
- imperative (adj.)
- 1520s, from Late Latin imperativus "pertaining to a command," from imperatus "commanded," past participle of imperare "to command, to requisition," from assimilated form of in- "into, in" (see in- (2)) + parare "prepare" (see pare).
- imperative (n.)
- mid-15c., in grammar; later "something imperative" (c. 1600), from Old French imperatif and directly from Late Latin imperativus (see imperative (adj.)).
Synonym
Example
- 1. Of course , I can see the economic imperative for this .
- 2. Proprieties among sovereign countries come second to the imperative of survival .
- 3. The former , hypothetical type of imperative depends on a condition .
- 4. But this does not change the imperative of decarbonisation .
- 5. What is most vulnerable at this point is its first imperative : the unity of han china .