/dɪkˈteɪt/
1
- 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。
1.1
- 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。
2
- 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。
/ˈdɪkteɪt/
(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。
词源
late 16th cent. (in sense 2)： from Latin dictat- 'dictated'， from the verb dictare.