Com*mand" (?; 61), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Commanded; p. pr.
& vb. n. Commanding.] [OE. comaunden,
commanden, OF. comander, F. commander, fr.
L. com- + mandare to commit to, to command. Cf.
Commend, Mandate.] 1. To order
with authority; to lay injunction upon; to direct; to bid; to
charge.
We are commanded to forgive our enemies,
but you never read that we are commanded to forgive our
friends.
Bacon.
Go to your mistress:
Say, I command her come to me.
Shak.
2. To exercise direct authority over; to
have control of; to have at one's disposal; to lead.
Monmouth commanded the English
auxiliaries.
Macaulay.
Such aid as I can spare you shall
command.
Shak.
3. To have within a sphere of control,
influence, access, or vision; to dominate by position; to guard;
to overlook.
Bridges commanded by a fortified house.
Motley.
Up to the eastern tower,
Whose height commands as subject all the vale.
Shak.
One side commands a view of the finest
garden.
Addison.
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.
'Tis not in mortals to command success.
Addison.
5. To direct to come; to bestow.
[Obs.]
I will command my blessing upon you.
Lev. xxv. 21.
Syn. -- To bid; order; direct; dictate; charge; govern;
rule; overlook.
Com*mand", v. i. 1.
To have or to exercise direct authority; to govern; to sway;
to influence; to give an order or orders.
And reigned, commanding in his
monarchy.
Shak.
For the king had so commanded concerning
[Haman].
Esth. iii. 2.
2. To have a view, as from a superior
position.
Far and wide his eye commands.
Milton.
Com*mand", n. 1.
An authoritative order requiring obedience; a mandate; an
injunction.
Awaiting what command their mighty
chief
Had to impose.
Milton.
2. The possession or exercise of
authority.
Command and force may often create, but can
never cure, an aversion.
Locke.
3. Authority; power or right of control;
leadership; as, the forces under his command.
4. Power to dominate, command, or
overlook by means of position; scope of vision; survey.
The steepy stand
Which overlooks the vale with wide command.
Dryden.
5. Control; power over something; sway;
influence; as, to have command over one's temper or voice;
the fort has command of the bridge.
He assumed an absolute command over his
readers.
Dryden.
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.
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.
