英漢辭典

1. vt. (及物動詞 transitive verb)
   1. 口授;口述;讓(秘書等)聽寫

   dictate a letter to the secretary.

   給秘書口授一封信函.

2. 2. 命令,規定(講和條件、方針等)



3. vi. (不及物動詞 intransitive verb)
   1. 口授;口述(重要文件)

4. 2. 命令;發號施令;下令

   I won't be dictated to.

   我不會讓人對我發號施令.



5. n. (名詞 noun)
   1. (理性、良心等的)命令;要求;指令

   the dictates of reason [conscience, etc.].

   理性[良心等]向我們提出的要求.

柯林斯英英辭典

vb

1. to say (messages, letters, speeches, etc) aloud for mechanical recording or verbatim transcription by another person

vt. (transitive verb)

1. [tr] to prescribe (commands) authoritatively

vi. (intransitive verb)

1. [intr] to act in a tyrannical manner; seek to impose one's will on others

n. (noun)

1. an authoritative command

2. a guiding principle or rule

the dictates of reason

3. [Etymology] C17: from Latin dictare to say repeatedly, order, from dicere to say