dikˈtāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Late Latin dictation-, dictatio, from Latin dictatus + -ion-, -io -ion
1. : the act of uttering authoritatively : prescription : arbitrary command : necessitous injunction or requirement : forceful formation or shaping
they would tolerate no outside dictation in matters concerning their own parishes — V.L.Parrington
duty's stern dictation — W.S.Gilbert
2.
a. : the act of uttering words to be written by another ; also : manner of dictating
b. : the playing or singing of music so that it may be reproduced either orally or in written notation usually by a student for the purpose of training the hearing to accurate appreciation of musical tones
3. : matter (as words or music) that has been presented by dictation
the secretary took dictation all morning long