v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Dictated; p. pr. & vb. n. Dictating. ] [ L. dictatus, p. p. of dictare, freq. of dicere to say. See Diction, and cf. Dight. ] 1. To tell or utter so that another may write down; to inspire; to compose; as, to dictate a letter to an amanuensis. [ 1913 Webster ]

The mind which dictated the Iliad. Wayland. [ 1913 Webster ]

Pages dictated by the Holy Spirit. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Whatsoever is dictated to us by God must be believed. Watts.

Syn. -- To suggest; prescribe; enjoin; command; point out; urge; admonish. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To speak as a superior; to command; to impose conditions (on). [ 1913 Webster ]

Who presumed to dictate to the sovereign. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To compose literary works; to tell what shall be written or said by another. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sylla could not skill of letters, and therefore knew not how to dictate. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. dictatum. See Dictate, v. t. ] A statement delivered with authority; an order; a command; an authoritative rule, principle, or maxim; a prescription; as, listen to the dictates of your conscience; the dictates of the gospel. [ 1913 Webster ]

I credit what the Grecian dictates say. Prior.

Syn. -- Command; injunction; direction suggestion; impulse; admonition. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. dictatio. ] 1. The act of dictating; the act or practice of prescribing; also that which is dictated. [ 1913 Webster ]

It affords security against the dictation of laws. Paley. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The speaking to, or the giving orders to, in an overbearing manner; authoritative utterance; as, his habit, even with friends, was that of dictation. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. ] 1. One who dictates; one who prescribes rules and maxims authoritatively for the direction of others. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One invested with absolute authority; especially, a magistrate created in times of exigence and distress, and invested with unlimited power. [ 1913 Webster ]

Invested with the authority of a dictator, nay, of a pope, over our language. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. dictatorial. ] 1. Pertaining or suited to a dictator; absolute. [ 1913 Webster ]

Military powers quite dictatorial. W. Irving. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Characteristic of a dictator; imperious; dogmatical; overbearing; as, a dictatorial tone or manner.

-- Dic`ta*to"ri*al*ly, adv. -- Dic`ta*to"ri*al*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Dictatorial. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The office, or the term of office, of a dictator; hence, absolute power. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. dictatorius. ] Dogmatical; overbearing; dictatorial. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A woman who dictates or commands. [ 1913 Webster ]

Earth's chief dictatress, ocean's mighty queen. Byron. [ 1913 Webster ]