[with obj.]lay down authoritatively; prescribe 命令;规定 the tsar's attempts to dictate policy. 沙皇想控制决策的企图。 [no obj.]that doesn't give you the right to dictate to me. 这并不意味着你有权对我发号施令。 ■[with obj.]control or decisively affect; determine 控制;支配;决定 choice is often dictated by availability. 选择往往决定于是否有可能。 [no obj.]a review process can be changed as circumstances dictate. 审查过程可能会视具体情况的需要而有所改变。
say or read aloud (words to be typed, written down, or recorded on tape) 口授 I have four letters to dictate. 我有四封信要口授。
noun
(一般作 dictates)an order or principle that must be obeyed 命令;(必须遵循的)原则;(必须达到的)标准 the dictates of fashion. 时尚的规则。
语源
late 16th cent. (in sense 2): from Latin dictat- 'dictated', from the verb dictare