dictate
UK: dɪkˈteɪt | US: ˈdɪkteɪt
v. to speak or read aloud for someone else to write down
v. to prescribe or command authoritatively
n. an authoritative order or guiding principle
The word "dictate" originates from the Latin dictare, meaning "to say repeatedly" or "to declare," derived from dicere ("to say"). The suffix -ate marks it as a verb in English. Historically, the term evolved from literal speech (e.g., a scribe writing down spoken words) to metaphorical commands (e.g., imposing rules). The root dict- appears in related words like "dictator" (one who commands) and "predict" (to say beforehand).
The manager will dictate the new policy to the team tomorrow.
Ancient rulers often dictated laws without public input.
She refused to let society dictate her life choices.
The teacher dictated a passage for the students to transcribe.
His actions were guided by the dictates of conscience.