Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DIC'TATE, v.t. [L. dicto, from dico, to speak; Sp. dictar; It. dettare; Fr. dicter; Ir. deachtaim. Class Dg.]

1. To tell with authority; to deliver, as an order, command, or direction; as, what God has dictated, it is our duty to believe.
2. To order or instruct what is to be said or written; as, a general dictates orders to his troops.
3. To suggest; to admonish; to direct by impulse on the mind. We say, the spirit of God dictated the message of the prophets to Israel. Conscience often dictates to men the rules by which they are to govern their conduct.