1
- of vital importance; crucial至关重要的, 紧要的：
immediate action was imperative
立即行动至关重要。
with clause it is imperative that standards are maintained.维持标准是至关重要的。
2
- giving an authoritative command; peremptory命令的, 强制的, 专横的：
the bell pealed again, a final imperative call.
钟又响了, 这是最后的命令。
2.1
- Grammar denoting the mood of a verb that expresses a command or exhortation, as in come here!【语法】祈使语气的（表示命令或劝告, 如come here!）。
1
- an essential or urgent thing基本; 当务之急：
free movement of labour was an economic imperative.
劳动力的自由流动是经济的基本要求。
1.1
- a factor or influence making something necessary必要性：
the change came about through a financial imperative.
这改变是由于财政必要性而发生的。
1.2
- a thing felt as an obligation义务, 职责：
the moral imperative of aiding Third World development.
帮助第三世界发展的道德义务。
2
- Grammar a verb or phrase in the imperative mood【语法】祈使语气动词, 祈使语气短语。
2.1
the imperative
the imperative mood祈使语气。
派生词
imperatival
/ɪmˌperəˈtaɪvəl/ adjectiveimperatively
adverbimperativeness
noun词源
late Middle English (as a grammatical term)： from late Latin imperativus （literally 'specially ordered'， translating Greek prostatikē enklisis 'imperative mood'）， from imperare 'to command'， from in- 'towards' + parare 'make ready'.