[im.per.a.tive] adj [ME imperatyf, fr. LL imperativus, fr. L imperatus, pp. of imperare to command--more at emperor] (15c) 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 ~ duty" syn see masterful -- im.per.a.tive.ly adv -- im.per.a.tive.ness n
[2]imperative n (1530) 1: the imperative mood or a verb form or verbal phrase expressing it
2: something that is imperative: as a: command, order b: rule, guide c: an obligatory act or duty d: an imperative judgment or proposition