\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.    --Wayland.
         Pages dictated by the Holy Spirit.    --Macaulay.
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.                             --Watts.
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.
                                               --Macaulay.
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.                   --Bacon.

\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.  --Prior.
Syn: Command; injunction; direction suggestion; impulse;
     admonition.