noun
definition
An order or command.
example
I must obey the dictates of my conscience.
verb
definition
To order, command, control.
definition
To speak in order for someone to write down the words.
example
She is dictating a letter to a stenographer.
Examples of dictates in a Sentence
Men should live according to the laws and dictates of nature, not forgetting the claims of reason and sentiment.
The validity of this definition depends on the assumption that operations of different kinds all agree in giving the same measure of time, such allowances as experience dictates being made for changing conditions.
It is thus distinguished from arbitrary methods of appointment, either where the right of nominating rests in an individual, or where pure chance (such as selection by lot) dictates the result.
From what has before been said of his works it may be gathered that, while professedly basing his systematic arrangement of the groups of birds on their external features, he had hitherto striven to make his schemes harmonize if possible with the dictates of internal structure as evinced by the science of anatomy, though he uniformly and persistently protested against the inside being better than the outside.
Thomas Aquinas was the first theologian to describe the Church as a divinely organized absolute monarchy, whose head concentrated in his person the entire authority of the Church, and was the source of all the ecclesiastical law (conditor juris), issuing the decrees of general councils in his own name, and claiming the right to revoke or modify the decrees of former councils - indeed, to make exceptions or to set aside altogether anything which did not rest upon the dictates of divine or natural law.
The plaits are sewed partly by hand and in a special sewing-machine, and the hats or bonnets are finished by stiffening with gelatin size and blocking into shape with the aid of heat and powerful pressure, according to the dictates of fashion.
The etymological sense of one who " dictates " - i.e.
The fact that men give different answers to moral problems which seem similar in character, or even the mere fact that men disregard, when they act immorally, the dictates and implicit principles of the moral consciousness is certain sooner or later to produce the desire either, on the one hand, to justify immoral action by casting doubt upon the authority of the moral consciousness and the validity of its principles, or, on the other hand, to justify particular moral judgments either by (the only valid method) an analysis of the moral principle involved in the judgment and a demonstration of its universal acceptation, or by some attempted proof that the particular moral judgment is arrived at by a process of inference from some universal conception of the Supreme Good or the Final End from which all particular duties or virtues may be deduced.
Fortified by this exhaustive preparation, Aquinas began his Summa Theologiae, which he intended to be the sum of all known learning, arranged according to the best method, and subordinate to the dictates of the church.
A fortnight later his consort Caroline arrived, and soon showed a vigour and restlessness of spirit which frequently clashed with the dictates of her brother, the emperor and the showy, unsteady policy of her consort.
Man exists for and in himself alone; his highest end is self-knowledge and self-realization in conformity with the dictates of his reason, apart altogether from the state and society.
No Protestant, of course, can agree with Roman Catholic theology that (supernatural) faith is an obedient assent to church authority and the mysteries it dictates.
Strengthen my resolution to perform what that wisdom dictates.
And thus too he explains to himself the phenomena of human life, believing that each man has within him a mannikin or animal which dictates his actions in life.
Whatever the government declares to be just or unjust must be accepted as such, since to dispute its dictates would be the first step towards anarchy, the one paramount peril outweighing all particular defects in legislation and administration.
Butler does not deny this, so far as mere claim to authority is concerned; 1 but he maintains that, the dictates of conscience being clear and certain, while the calculations of self-interest lead to merely probable conclusions, it can never be practically reasonable to disobey the former, even apart from any proof which religion may furnish of the absolute coincidence of the two in a future life.
In fact, no acceptable scientific criterion emerges, and the outcome of Spencer's attempt to ascertain the laws of life and the conditions of existence is either a restatement of the dictates of the moral consciousness in vague and cumbrous quasi-scientific phraseology, or the substitution of the meaningless test of " survivability " as a standard of perfection for the usual and intelligible standards of " good " and " right."
Hence it is most widely diffused among uncivilized peoples, whose existence depends upon immediate and unvarying submission to the dictates of external nature.
To follow the dictates of pious reason in opposition to natural inclination is to have learned the secret of victory over the passions.
Doa Christina, apart from the dictates of gratitude towards the head of her Church for the kindness shown to her son and government, was a zealous Catholic. She proved all thfough her regency that she not only relied upon the support of the Vatican and of the prelates, but that she was determined to favor the Church and the religious foundations in every possible way.
We follow the Immortal Code, which dictates our interactions with humans and our obligations within our society.
This trend has been reinforced by increasing globalization, which pressures states into conforming to the dictates of the international marketplace.
It is Herschel's supply of superfluid helium which dictates how long its operational lifespan will be.
I had been valuable to her in our childhood as someone unswervingly loyal to her dictates.
Fidelity to his own spirituality was always his, but political preferment went to those who followed the dictates of self-interested prudence.
But every one must follow the dictates of his own conscience, in simplicity and godly sincerity.
Everything is made subordinate to the overmastering dictates of war.
The lack of powers to raise income ensures subservience to the dictates of the Minister of Health.
Nevertheless to check our sympathy would lead to the "deterioration of the noblest part of our nature," and the question, which is obviously of vital importance, whether we should obey the dictates of reason, which would urge us only to such conduct as is conducive to natural selection, or remain faithful to the noblest part of our nature at the expense of reason, he leaves unsolved.
Henry 's law dictates the solubility of gas in liquid.
A subentry name form is also defined, which dictates that subentries shall be named with the common name attribute type.
Tradition dictates that Mint Juleps be served in a special frozen pewter cup.
This act dictates how to legally respond to these situations in order to preserve your rights as well as limiting your financial obligation for unauthorized charges.
The floor is the largest visual surface in square footage in any room and it often dictates the rest of the design.
Many homes have an architectural style that dictates the paint color.
Common sense dictates that the more surface lights that surround you, from office buildings, streetlights and electronic billboards, the more distractions you'll have to deal with.
When serving wine with food, the event often dictates what you should pour.
Do you have a special ritual that dictates how you open holiday gifts or certain songs that you always sing on Christmas Eve?
After all, you are "meant" to change them as frequently as your fashion mind dictates!
As her Islamic culture dictates, she must marry the man her father has chosen for her.
Proper etiquette dictates the wedding rehearsal dinner be hosted by the parents of the groom.
Before you register at any department store, proper wedding registry etiquette dictates you consult with your husband to be.
Day time weddings mean more casual tuxedos while night time dictates formality.
Traditional dress etiquette dictates that the mother of the groom should wait until the mother of the bride picks out her dress.
Etiquette often dictates that thank you notes can be sent up to three months after the wedding.
Often, the guest list dictates budget and decisions, so paring down the list provides not only a more intimate wedding, but one that allows for a few lavish indulgences, too.
Immediate family members, like siblings, children, grandchildren, or other close relationships typically dictates more money than others.
German wedding tradition dictates that both the bride's and groom's parents and the engaged couple themselves share the wedding expenses, unlike the traditional American custom of expecting the bride's father to pay for the entire wedding.
In some cases, the actual holiday dictates what type of clothing a toddler should wear.
Individuals seeking Disney Cruise Line jobs need to be willing to adhere to the strict personal appearance guidelines the company dictates.