different between dictum vs imperative

English

Etymology

From Latin dictum (“proverb, maxim”), from dictus (“having been said”), perfect passive participle of dico (“I say”). Compare Spanish dicho (“saying”).

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /?d?k.t?m/

Noun

dictum (plural dicta or dictums)

1. An authoritative statement; a dogmatic saying; a maxim, an apothegm.
   • 1949, Bruce Kiskaddon, George R. Stewart, Earth Abides

     ...a dictum which he had heard an economics professor once propound...

2. A judicial opinion expressed by judges on points that do not necessarily arise in the case, and are not involved in it.
3. The report of a judgment made by one of the judges who has given it.
4. An arbitrament or award.

See also

• ipse dixit

Translations

Latin

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /?dik.tum/, [?d??kt????]
• (Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /?dik.tum/, [?d?ikt?um]

Etymology 1

Neuter form of dictus (“said, spoken”), past passive participle of d?c? (“to say, to speak”).

Noun

dictum n (genitive dict?); second declension

1. a word, saying, something said
2. proverb, maxim, saw
3. bon mot, witticism

   Synonym: dict?rium

4. verse, poetry
5. a prophesy, prediction
6. order, command
7. promise, assurance

Declension

Second-declension noun (neuter).

Related terms

Descendants

Further reading

• dictum in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
• dictum in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers
• dictum in Charles du Fresne du Cange’s Glossarium Mediæ et Infimæ Latinitatis (augmented edition, 1883–1887)
• dictum in Gaffiot, Félix (1934) Dictionnaire illustré Latin-Français, Hachette
• Carl Meissner; Henry William Auden (1894) Latin Phrase-Book?^[1], London: Macmillan and Co.

Etymology 2

See the etymology of the main entry.

Participle

dictum

1. inflection of dictus:
   1. nominative/accusative/vocative neuter singular
   2. accusative masculine singular

Verb

dictum

1. accusative supine of d?c?

Norwegian Nynorsk

Noun

dictum n (definite singular dictumet, indefinite plural dicta or dictum, definite plural dicta or dictaa or dictai or dictuma or dictumi)

1. form removed with the spelling reform of 2012; superseded by diktum

Spanish

Noun

dictum m (plural dictums)

1. dictum

English

Alternative forms

• imp., imper. (abbreviation, grammar)

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin imper?t?vus.

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /?m?p??.?.t?v/

Adjective

imperative (comparative more imperative, superlative most imperative)

1. Essential; crucial; extremely important.
2. (grammar) Of, or relating to the imperative mood.
3. (computing theory) Having semantics that incorporates mutable variables.
   • Antonym: functional
4. Expressing a command; authoritatively or absolutely directive.

   • The suits of kings are imperative.

Translations

Noun

imperative (countable and uncountable, plural imperatives)

1. (uncountable, grammar) The grammatical mood expressing an order (see jussive). In English, the imperative form of a verb is the same as that of the bare infinitive.

   Synonym: imperative mood

   Coordinate terms: assertoric, interrogative

2. (countable, grammar) A verb in imperative mood.
3. (countable) An essential action, a must: something which is imperative.

Synonyms

• required

Derived terms

Translations

Italian

Adjective

imperative f pl

1. feminine plural of imperativo

Anagrams

• riempivate

Latin

Alternative forms

• inper?t?v?

Etymology

From imper?t?vus (“commanded”), from imper? (“command, order”), from im- (form of in) + par? (“prepare, arrange; intend”).

Adverb

imper?t?v? (not comparable)

1. In an imperative manner, imperatively.

Related terms

References

• imperative in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
• imperative in Gaffiot, Félix (1934) Dictionnaire illustré Latin-Français, Hachette

Romanian

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [impera?tive]

Noun

imperative n pl

1. indefinite plural of imperativ