[n] a guiding principle; "the dictates of reason" [n] an authoritative rule [v] say out loud for the purpose of recording; "He dictated a report to his secretary" [v] issue commands or orders for [v] rule as a dictator
order, prescribe
a priori truth, act, adage, ana, analects, aphorism, apothegm, appoint, authorize, axiom, behest, bestride, bid, bidding, bill, brocard, brook no denial, bylaw, byword, call for, call on, call the signals, call upon, canon, catchword, caveat, charge, coll