Define vs. Dictate — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Define and Dictate
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Compare with Definitions
Define
State or describe exactly the nature, scope, or meaning of
The contract will seek to define the client's obligations
Dictate
To say or read aloud to be recorded or written by another
Dictate a letter.
Define
Mark out the boundary or limits of
The river defines the park's boundary
Dictate
To prescribe with authority; impose
Dictated the rules of the game.
Define
To state the precise meaning of (a word or sense of a word, for example).
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Dictate
To control or command
"Foreign leaders were ... dictated by their own circumstances, bound by the universal imperatives of politics" (Doris Kearns Goodwin).
Define
To describe the nature or basic qualities of; explain
Define the properties of a new drug.
A study that defines people according to their median incomes.
Dictate
To say or read aloud material to be recorded or written by another
Dictated for an hour before leaving for the day.
Define
To make clear the outline or form of; delineate
Gentle hills that were defined against the sky.
Dictate
To issue orders or commands.
Define
To specify distinctly
Define the weapons to be used in limited warfare.
Dictate
A directive; a command.
Define
To give form or meaning to
"For him, a life is defined by action" (Jay Parini).
Dictate
An underlying constraint
"These men make numerous decisions affecting how they organize their lives according to the dictates of time and place" (William Marsiglio).
Define
To make or write a definition.
Dictate
A guiding principle
Followed the dictates of my conscience.
Define
To determine with precision; to mark out with distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly.
The defining power of an optical instrument
Dictate
An order or command.
I must obey the dictates of my conscience.
Define
(obsolete) To settle, decide an argument etc.
Dictate
To order, command, control.
Define
To express the essential nature of something.
I define myself as a techno-anarchist.
Your past mistakes do not define who you are.
Dictate
To speak in order for someone to write down the words.
She is dictating a letter to a stenographer.
The French teacher dictated a passage from Victor Hugo.
Define
To state the meaning of a word, phrase, sign, or symbol.
The textbook defined speed as velocity divided by time.
Dictate
To determine or decisively affect.
Define
To describe, explain, or make definite and clear; used to request the listener or other person to elaborate or explain more clearly his or her intended meaning of a word or expression.
Person 1: Is she good at math?
Person 2: Define "good." If you mean if she is faster than the average middle schooler at multiplication, then yes. If you mean if she is able to do multivariable calculus, then no.
Person 2: Define "good." If you mean if she is faster than the average middle schooler at multiplication, then yes. If you mean if she is able to do multivariable calculus, then no.
Dictate
To tell or utter so that another may write down; to inspire; to compose; as, to dictate a letter to an amanuensis.
The mind which dictated the Iliad.
Pages dictated by the Holy Spirit.
Define
To demark sharply the outlines or limits of an area or concept.
To define the legal boundaries of a property
Dictate
To say; to utter; to communicate authoritatively; to deliver (a command) to a subordinate; to declare with authority; to impose; as, to dictate the terms of a treaty; a general dictates orders to his troops.
Whatsoever is dictated to us by God must be believed.
Define
(mathematics) To establish the referent of a term or notation.
Dictate
To speak as a superior; to command; to impose conditions (on).
Who presumed to dictate to the sovereign.
Define
(programming) A kind of macro in source code that replaces one text string with another wherever it occurs.
Dictate
To compose literary works; to tell what shall be written or said by another.
Sylla could not skill of letters, and therefore knew not how to dictate.
Define
To fix the bounds of; to bring to a termination; to end.
Dictate
A statement delivered with authority; an order; a command; an authoritative rule, principle, or maxim; a prescription; as, listen to the dictates of your conscience; the dictates of the gospel.
I credit what the Grecian dictates say.
Define
To determine or clearly exhibit the boundaries of; to mark the limits of; as, to define the extent of a kingdom or country.
Dictate
An authoritative rule
Define
To determine with precision; to mark out with distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly; as, the defining power of an optical instrument.
Rings . . . very distinct and well defined.
Dictate
A guiding principle;
The dictates of reason
Define
To determine the precise signification of; to fix the meaning of; to describe accurately; to explain; to expound or interpret; as, to define a word, a phrase, or a scientific term.
They define virtue to be life ordered according to nature.
Dictate
Issue commands or orders for
Define
To determine; to decide.
Dictate
Say out loud for the purpose of recording;
He dictated a report to his secretary
Define
Give a definition for the meaning of a word;
Define `sadness'
Dictate
Rule as a dictator
Define
Determine the essential quality of
Define
Determine the nature of;
What defines a good wine?
Define
Delineate the form or outline of;
The tree was clearly defined by the light
The camera could define the smallest object
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