verb
dictate
DIK-tayt/ˈdɪkteɪt/
To say words aloud for someone to write or record.
She dictates each sentence while her colleague writes.
Etymology
Latin dictare meant “to say often” or “prescribe.” The selected meaning focuses on spoken delivery for a specific purpose: another person writes down the words.
In context
if we were to give each full-time equivalent physician their own transcriptionist or the ability to dictate that it would increase the throughput enough for the organization to come out over $20,000 ahead a year
More examples
- He dictated a letter.
- They are dictating notes.
- The writer dictates slowly.
Forms
dictate · dictates · dictated · dictating
dictation noun — words spoken for someone to record
Similar words
- recite
- Says aloud from memory without necessarily for recording.
- read out
- Speaks written words rather than composing dictation.