We are commanded to forgive our enemies, but you never read that we are commanded to forgive our friends. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

Go to your mistress:
Say, I command her come to me. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To exercise direct authority over; to have control of; to have at one's disposal; to lead. [ 1913 Webster ]

Monmouth commanded the English auxiliaries. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

Such aid as I can spare you shall command. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To have within a sphere of control, influence, access, or vision; to dominate by position; to guard; to overlook. [ 1913 Webster ]

Bridges commanded by a fortified house. Motley. [ 1913 Webster ]

Up to the eastern tower,
Whose height commands as subject all the vale. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

One side commands a view of the finest garden. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To have power or influence of the nature of authority over; to obtain as if by ordering; to receive as a due; to challenge; to claim; as, justice commands the respect and affections of the people; the best goods command the best price. [ 1913 Webster ]

'Tis not in mortals to command success. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To direct to come; to bestow. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I will command my blessing upon you. Lev. xxv. 21.

Syn. -- To bid; order; direct; dictate; charge; govern; rule; overlook. [ 1913 Webster ]

And reigned, commanding in his monarchy. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

For the king had so commanded concerning [ Haman ]. Esth. iii. 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To have a view, as from a superior position. [ 1913 Webster ]

Far and wide his eye commands. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Awaiting what command their mighty chief
Had to impose. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The possession or exercise of authority. [ 1913 Webster ]

Command and force may often create, but can never cure, an aversion. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Authority; power or right of control; leadership; as, the forces under his command. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Power to dominate, command, or overlook by means of position; scope of vision; survey. [ 1913 Webster ]

The steepy stand
Which overlooks the vale with wide command. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Control; power over something; sway; influence; as, to have command over one's temper or voice; the fort has command of the bridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

He assumed an absolute command over his readers. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. A body of troops, or any naval or military force or post, or the whole territory under the authority or control of a particular officer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Word of command (Mil.), a word or phrase of definite and established meaning, used in directing the movements of soldiers; as, aim; fire; shoulder arms, etc.

Syn. -- Control; sway; power; authority; rule; dominion; sovereignty; mandate; order; injunction; charge; behest. See Direction. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To take arbitrary or forcible possession of. [ Colloq. ] [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

A leader and commander to the people. Is. lv. 4. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Navy) An officer who ranks next below a captain, -- ranking with a lieutenant colonel in the army. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The chief officer of a commandery. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A heavy beetle or wooden mallet, used in paving, in sail lofts, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

Commander in chief, the military title of the officer who has supreme command of the land or naval forces or the united forces of a nation or state; a generalissimo. The President is commander in chief of the army and navy of the United States.

Syn. -- See Chief. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A district or a manor with lands and tenements appertaining thereto, under the control of a member of an order of knights who was called a commander; -- called also a preceptory. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. An assembly or lodge of Knights Templars (so called) among the Freemasons. [ U. S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A district under the administration of a military commander or governor. [ R. ] Brougham. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Fitted to impress or control; as, a commanding look or presence. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Exalted; overlooking; having superior strategic advantages; as, a commanding position.

Syn. -- Authoritative; imperative; imperious. [ 1913 Webster ]

A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another. John xiii. 34. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Script.) One of the ten laws or precepts given by God to the Israelites at Mount Sinai. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The act of commanding; exercise of authority. [ 1913 Webster ]

And therefore put I on the countenance
Of stern commandment. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Law) The offense of commanding or inducing another to violate the law. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Commandments,
The Ten Commandments, the Decalogue, or summary of God's commands, given to Moses at Mount Sinai. (Ex. xx.) [ 1913 Webster ]

The war bands, called commandos, have played a great part in the . . . military history of the country. James Bryce. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

2. a usually small military unit trained to perform special missions, often behind enemy lines, and usually employing hit-and-run tactics. Such units often have the destruction of fixed targets, such as enemy installations, as their mission, in contrast to normal combat units which engage the enemy army directly. [ PJC ]

3. a member of a commando{ 2 } unit. [ PJC ]