n.
Pronunciation: im- ' per- ə -tiv, - ' pe-r ə -
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English imperatyf, from Late Latin imperativus, from Latin imperatus, past participle of imperare to command ― more at EMPEROR
Date: 15th century
1 a : of, relating to, or constituting the grammatical mood that expresses the will to influence the behavior of another b : expressive of a command, entreaty, or exhortation c : having power to restrain, control, and direct
2 : not to be avoided or evaded : NECESSARY <an imperative duty>
synonyms see MASTERFUL
– im · per · a · tive · ly adverb
– im · per · a · tive · ness noun