1590s, "to practice dictation, say aloud for another to write down," from Latin dictatus, past participle of dictare "say often, prescribe," frequentative of dicere "tell, say" (see diction). Sense of "to command" is 1620s. Related: Dictated; dictates; dictating.
dictate (n.)
1590s, from Latin dictatum "something dictated," noun use of neuter past participle of dictare (see dictate (v.)).
权威例句
1. He cannot be allowed to dictate what can and cannot be inspected.
什么能检查,什么不能检查不能由他说了算。
2. What right has one country to dictate the environmental standards of another?
一个国家有什么权力强行给另一个国家制定环境标准?
3. It took him a long time to dictate this letter.
口述这封信花了他很长时间.
4. We're now in a position to dictate our own demands.
现在,我们有资格提出我们的要求.
5. No one is going to dictate to me where to live!