[dic.tate] vb dic.tat.ed ; dic.tat.ing [L dictatus, pp. of dictare to assert, dictate, freq. of dicere to say--more at diction] vi (1592) 1: to give dictation
2: to speak or act domineeringly: prescribe ~ vt 1: to speak or read for a person to transcribe or for a machine to record
2. a: to issue as an order b: to impose, pronounce, or specify authoritatively c: to require or determine necessarily "injuries dictated the choice of players"
[2]dic.tate n (1594) 1 a: an authoritative rule, prescription, or injunction b: a ruling principle "according to the ~s of your conscience"
2: a command by one in authority