(~d)
1.
If you ~ something, you say or read it aloud for someone else to write down.
Sheldon writes every day of the week, dictating his novels in the morning...
VERB: V n
2.
If someone ~s to someone else, they tell them what they should do or can do.
What right has one country to ~ the environmental standards of another?...
He cannot be allowed to ~ what can and cannot be inspected...
What gives them the right to ~ to us what we should eat?...
The officers were more or less able to ~ terms to successive governments...
VERB: V n, V wh, V to n wh, V n to n
3.
If one thing ~s another, the first thing causes or influences the second thing.
The film’s budget ~d a tough schedule...
Of course, a number of factors will ~ how long an apple tree can survive...
Circumstances ~d that they played a defensive rather than attacking game.
VERB: V n, V wh, V that
4.
You say that reason or common sense ~s that a particular thing is the case when you believe strongly that it is the case and that reason or common sense will cause other people to agree.
Commonsense now ~s that it would be wise to sell a few shares.
VERB: V that
5.
A ~ is an order which you have to obey.
Their job is to ensure that the ~s of the Party are followed.
N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft N of n
6.
Dictates are principles or rules which you consider to be extremely important.
We have followed the ~s of our consciences and have done our duty.
N-COUNT: usu pl, with supp, usu N of n