dictate
dik-TAYT
/ˈdɪkteɪt/
To state or read aloud for another person to transcribe; to command or give orders with authority.
While it can mean simply reading aloud, in a social context, it implies a power imbalance where one person imposes their will on others.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'dictare', which is a frequentative form of 'dicere' (to say). It originally meant to say something repeatedly so that it could be recorded or learned by heart.
Word relationships
- command: Command is more general; dictate often implies a detailed set of rules or a specific transcript.
- prescribe: Prescribe suggests a recommended course of action, whereas dictate is an order.
- submit: To submit is to follow orders, while dictate is to give them.
- request: A request allows for a choice, unlike a dictation.
Commonly confused with
- dictator: A dictator is the person who performs the act of dictating with absolute power.
Word family
- dictation (noun): The action of saying words aloud to be typed or written down.
- dictatorial (adjective): Characteristic of a ruler with total power; overbearing.
Collocations
- dictate terms
- dictate a letter
- dictate the pace
Idioms & expressions
- dictate to someone
Example sentences
- "I shall dictate the letters to you, and you will write them down." In Jane Austen's classic novel, a character prepares to record a message.
- "Common sense should dictate that we stop for rest before the storm hits." Discussing how circumstances control actions.
Memory hook
Imagine a 'Dictator' pointing at a 'Tape' recorder, forcing you to write what they say. Dictate = Say it to the tape.
When not to use
Avoid using 'dictate' for a gentle suggestion; it implies a non-negotiable command.
Fun facts
- In the early days of office work, 'dictaphones' were essential machines for executives to record their memos.
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