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- parts of speech:
- transitive verb, intransitive verb, noun
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb, noun), Grammatical Patterns, Word Parts
| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| pronunciation: |
dIk
teIt
[or]
dIk
teIt
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| inflections: |
dictates, dictating, dictated |
| definition 1: |
to state or order with authoritative force; prescribe definitely.
The rulers dictated what privileges the nobility enjoyed.The owners dictate the company's policies.The fashion industry tends to dictate what women wear.Her religion dictates that she remain married.[verb + (that) + subjunctive clause
]
- synonyms:
- command, decree, demand, direct, impose, ordain, order, prescribe
- similar words:
- boss, determine, enjoin, instruct, set, state
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| definition 2: |
to say or read aloud (something) in order that it may be recorded or written down by someone else.
Before the advent of word processing, it was common to dictate one's business letters to a secretary.- synonyms:
- read
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| related words: |
bid, command, decree, direct, impose, tell, will |
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| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| pronunciation: |
dIk
teIt
[or]
dIk
teIt
|
| definition 1: |
to issue orders; make demands.
Others make polite requests, but he just dictates.- synonyms:
- command, decree, demand, direct, ordain, order, prescribe
- similar words:
- determine, require
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| definition 2: |
to speak or read aloud something in order that it may be recorded or written down by someone else.
As I was dictating, a phone call interrupted me. |
| related words: |
bid, boss, command, decree, direct, ordain, prescribe |
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| part of speech: |
noun |
| pronunciation: |
dIk
teIt
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| definition 1: |
a command; directive.
He claims that he was only carrying out the dictates of his superiors.- synonyms:
- charge, command, demand, directive, imperative, order
- similar words:
- decree, determination, direction, edict, instruction, statement
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| definition 2: |
(often pl.) a requirement or controlling principle.
The dictates of common sense forced him to reconsider his opinion.- synonyms:
- demand, imperative
- similar words:
- precept, principle, requirement
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| related words: |
behest, bidding, law, mandate, word |
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| derivation: |
dictatingly (adv.) |
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