English Explanatory Dictionary

dictate

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An order or command.
verb
  1. To order, command, control.
  2. To speak in order for someone to write down the words.
  3. To determine or decisively affect.

Pronunciation

/ˈdɪkˌteɪt/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-dictate2.wav /ˌdɪkˈteɪt/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-dictate.wav

Word forms

dictate dictates dictating dictated

Etymology

First attested in 1581; borrowed from Latin dictātum (“a thing said, something dictated”), substantivized from the nominative neuter singular of dictātus, the perfect passive participle of dictō (“pronounce or declare repeatedly; dictate”), frequentative of dīcō (“say, speak”). Doublet of diktat.

Related words

dictation dictator dictatress dictatoress dictatrix

Derived words

dictatable dictater dictatingly misdictate redictate undictated undictating
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