dictate

口述、唸給…記下

She dictated the letter to her assistant over the phone.

她在電話中口述信件內容，讓助理記下。

決定、左右

The budget will dictate how many people we can hire.

預算將決定我們能聘用多少人。

規定、命令

Company policy dictates that all visitors must register.

公司規定所有訪客都必須登記。

發號施令、指使常與 to 連用

I won't let anyone dictate to me how to raise my child.

我不會讓任何人來指使我該怎麼教養孩子。

準則、要求、命令常用複數，正式

He followed the dictates of his conscience and resigned.

他依照良心的準則辭去了職務。