Dic"tate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dictated; p. pr. & vb. n. Dictating.] [L. dictatus, p. p. of dictare, freq. of dicere to say. See Diction, and cf. Dight.] 1. To tell or utter so that another may write down; to inspire; to compose; as, to dictate a letter to an amanuensis.

The mind which dictated the Iliad.

Pages dictated by the Holy Spirit.

2. To say; to utter; to communicate authoritatively; to deliver (a command) to a subordinate; to declare with authority; to impose; as, to dictate the terms of a treaty; a general dictates orders to his troops.

Whatsoever is dictated to us by God must be believed.

Syn. -- To suggest; prescribe; enjoin; command; point out; urge; admonish.

Dic"tate, v. i. 1. To speak as a superior; to command; to impose conditions (on).

Who presumed to dictate to the sovereign.

2. To compose literary works; to tell what shall be written or said by another.

Sylla could not skill of letters, and therefore knew not how to dictate.

Dic"tate (?), n. [L. dictatum. See Dictate, v. t.] A statement delivered with authority; an order; a command; an authoritative rule, principle, or maxim; a prescription; as, listen to the dictates of your conscience; the dictates of the gospel.

I credit what the Grecian dictates say.

Syn. -- Command; injunction; direction suggestion; impulse; admonition.

• to order, command, control
       My boss thinks he can dictate how I spend my time outside work hours.
       The bad weather dictated the route we travelled.
  
• to speak in order for someone to write down the words
       She is dictating a letter to a stenographer.
       The French teacher dictated a passage from Victor Hugo.
  
• an order or command
       I must obey the dictates of my conscience.