DICTATED • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Dictated

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/dɪktˈeɪtəd/ /dˈɪktˌeɪtəd/ /dˈɪktˌeɪtɪd/ Listen

verb

Dictate v. t. (past & past part. dictated; pres. part. dictating)

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." "Pages dictated by the Holy Spirit."

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."

Synonyms: To suggest; prescribe; enjoin; command; point out; urge; admonish.

Dictate v. i.

To speak as a superior; to command; to impose conditions (on). "Who presumed to dictate to the sovereign."

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."

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Etymology of 'Dictated'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Dictated" Quotes from Famous Books

... Prudence dictated that Jack Everson should not linger another moment. Indeed, he ought to have counted himself fortunate that he had made his discovery in time to save himself from running into a trap. He should return to his friends with the alarming news and help them in getting away with the utmost haste possible. ...

— The Jungle Fugitives • Edward S. Ellis

... already commenced, and could no longer be avoided. The leaders of the South at this period would hardly have been satisfied with the most abject submission of the anti-slavery party to all their behests. In fact, every concession made to their wishes seemed to them to be dictated by the weakness of the Government, and its fears of internal dissensions and civil war in all the great cities of the North. They needed blood and the prestige of a victory to rouse the enthusiasm ...

— Reminiscences of Forts Sumter and Moultrie in 1860-'61 • Abner Doubleday

... GENTLEMEN:—I rise to thank you, I should say to attempt to thank you, for I feel the task is far beyond my power. What can I say in reply to all that the kindly feeling of my friend has dictated? I have not the skill to arrange and address in attractive language the thoughts that press upon me, and my incompetency may perhaps appear like a want of sensibility to your kindness, for we are taught to believe that out of the heart's fulness the mouth speaks. But my difficulty, ...

— Modern Eloquence: Vol II, After-Dinner Speeches E-O • Various

... assemble in the capital of Prussia. To the astonishment and almost dismay of his friends, he had taken no steps for preparing a draft. As soon as he arrived two drafts were laid before him; he put them aside and the next day dictated the outlines of the ...

— Bismarck and the Foundation of the German Empire • James Wycliffe Headlam

... which the most affectionate sentiments are expressed in the most obliging terms. The coincidence of circumstances which led to this auspicious crisis, the confidence reposed in me by my fellow-citizens, and the assistance I may expect from counsels which will be dictated by an enlarged and liberal policy seem to presage a more prosperous issue to my Administration than a diffidence of my abilities had taught me to anticipate. I now feel myself inexpressibly happy in a belief that Heaven, which has done so much for our infant nation, will not withdraw its providential ...

— A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents - Section 1 (of 4) of Volume 1: George Washington • James D. Richardson

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