Webster's English Dictionary

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dictate

1. dic.tate \'dik-.ta-t, dik-'ta-t\ vb [L dictatus, pp. of dictare to 
   assert, dictate, fr. dictus, p]p. of dicere to say 1: to give dictation  2: 
   to speak or act domineeringly : PRESCRIBE  1: to speak or read for a person 
   to transcribe or for a machine to record  2a: to issue as an order  2b: to 
   command or impose authoritatively 
2. dic.tate \'dik-.ta-t\ n 1a: an authoritative rule, prescription, or 
   injunction  1b: a ruling principle  2: a command by one in authority