Adjacent Words

Command definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

COMMAND, v.t.
1. To bid; to order; to direct; to charge; implying authority, and power to control, and to require obedience.
We will sacrifice to the Lord our God, as he shall command us. Exodus 8.
I know that he [Abraham] will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord. Genesis 18.
2. To govern, lead or direct; to have or to exercise supreme authority over.
Lord Wellington commanded an army in Spain; he commanded the army at the battle of Waterloo.
3. To have in power; to be able to exercise power or authority over; as, a military post commands the surrounding country; a fort commands the harbor.
4. To overlook, or have in the power of the eye, without obstruction.
One side commands a view of the finest garden in the world.
5. To direct; to send.
The Lord shall command the blessing on thee. Deutoronomy 28.
The Lord will command his loving kindness. Psalms 43.
6. To have or to exercise a controlling influence over.
A good magistrate commands the respect and affections of the people.
COMMAND, v.i. To have or to exercise supreme authority; to possess the chief power; to govern; as, the general commands with dignity and humanity. What general commands in Canada?
COMMAND, n.
1. The right or power of governing with chief or exclusive authority; supreme power; control; as, an officer has a brigade under his command; he takes command of the army in France; an appropriate military term.
2. The power of controlling; governing influence; sway.
He assumed an absolute command over his readers.
3. Cogent or absolute authority.
Command and force may often create, but can never cure, an aversion.
4. The act of commanding; the mandate uttered; order given.
The captain gives command.
5. The power of overlooking, or surveying, without obstruction.
The steepy strand, Which overlooks the vale with wide command.
6. The power of governing or controlling by force, or of defending and protecting.
The fortress has complete command of the port.
7. That which is commanded control; as a body of troop under command.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: an authoritative direction or instruction to do something [syn: command, bid, bidding, dictation]
2: a military unit or region under the control of a single officer
3: the power or authority to command; "an admiral in command"
4: availability for use; "the materials at the command of the potters grew"
5: a position of highest authority; "the corporation has just undergone a change in command"
6: great skillfulness and knowledge of some subject or activity; "a good command of French" [syn: command, control, mastery]
7: (computer science) a line of code written as part of a computer program [syn: instruction, command, statement, program line] v
1: be in command of; "The general commanded a huge army"
2: make someone do something [syn: command, require]
3: demand as one's due; "This speaker commands a high fee"; "The author commands a fair hearing from his readers"
4: look down on; "The villa dominates the town" [syn: dominate, command, overlook, overtop]
5: exercise authoritative control or power over; "control the budget"; "Command the military forces" [syn: control, command]

Merriam Webster's

I. verb Etymology: Middle English comanden, from Anglo-French cumander, from Vulgar Latin *commandare, alteration of Latin commendare to commit to one's charge — more at commend Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. to direct authoritatively ; order 2. to exercise a dominating influence over ; have command of: as a. to have at one's immediate disposal <commands many resources> b. to demand or receive as one's due <commands a high fee> c. to overlook or dominate from or as if from a strategic position <a hill that commands the city> d. to have military command of as senior officer <command a regiment> 3. obsolete to order or request to be given intransitive verb 1. to have or exercise direct authority ; govern 2. to give orders 3. to be commander 4. to dominate as if from an elevated place • commandable adjective Synonyms: command, order, bid, enjoin, direct, instruct, charge mean to issue orders. command and order imply authority and usually some degree of formality and impersonality. command stresses official exercise of authority <a general commanding troops>. order may suggest peremptory or arbitrary exercise <ordered his employees about like slaves>. bid suggests giving orders peremptorily (as to children or servants) <she bade him be seated>. enjoin implies giving an order or direction authoritatively and urgently and often with admonition or solicitude <a sign enjoining patrons to be quiet>. direct and instruct both connote expectation of obedience and usually concern specific points of procedure or method, instruct sometimes implying greater explicitness or formality <directed her assistant to hold all calls> <the judge instructed the jury to ignore the remark>. charge adds to enjoin an implication of imposing as a duty or responsibility <charged by the President with a secret mission>. II. noun Date: 15th century 1. a. an order given b. a signal that actuates a device (as a control mechanism in a spacecraft or one step in a computer); also the activation of a device by means of such a signal 2. a. the ability to control ; mastery b. the authority or right to command <the officer in command> c. (1) the power to dominate (2) scope of vision d. facility in use <a good command of French> e. control 1d <a pitcher with good command of his curveball> 3. the act of commanding 4. the personnel, area, or organization under a commander; specifically a unit of the United States Air Force higher than an air force 5. a position of highest usually military authority Synonyms: see power III. adjective Date: 1826 done on command or request <a command performance>

U.S. Military Dictionary

1. The authority that a commander in the armed forces lawfully exercises over subordinates by virtue of rank or assignment. Command includes the authority and responsibility for effectively using available resources and for planning the employment of, organizing, directing, coordinating, and controlling military forces for the accomplishment of assigned missions. It also includes responsibility for health, welfare, morale, and discipline of assigned personnel. 2. An order given by a commander; that is, the will of the commander expressed for the purpose of bringing about a particular action. 3. A unit or units, an organization, or an area under the command of one individual. Also called CMD. See also area command; combatant command; combatant command (command authority). (JP 1)

Oxford Reference Dictionary

v. & n. --v.tr. 1 (often foll. by to + infin., or that + clause) give formal order or instructions to (commands us to obey; commands that it be done). 2 (also absol.) have authority or control over. 3 a (often refl.) restrain, master. b gain the use of; have at one's disposal or within reach (skill, resources, etc.) (commands an extensive knowledge of history; commands a salary of £40,000). 4 deserve and get (sympathy, respect, etc.). 5 Mil. dominate (a strategic position) from a superior height; look down over. --n. 1 an authoritative order; an instruction. 2 mastery, control, possession (a good command of languages; has command of the resources). 3 the exercise or tenure of authority, esp. naval or military (has command of this ship). 4 Mil. a a body of troops etc. (Bomber Command). b a district under a commander (Western Command). 5 Computing a an instruction causing a computer to perform one of its basic functions. b a signal initiating such an operation. Phrases and idioms: at command ready to be used at will. at (or by) a person's command in pursuance of a person's bidding. command module the control compartment in a spacecraft. Command Paper (in the UK) a paper laid before Parliament by command of the Crown. command performance (in the UK) a theatrical or film performance given by royal command. command post the headquarters of a military unit. in command of commanding; having under control. under command of commanded by. word of command 1 Mil. an order for a movement in a drill etc. 2 a prearranged spoken signal for the start of an operation. Etymology: ME f. AF comaunder, OF comander f. LL commandare COMMEND

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Command Com*mand" (?; 61), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Commanded; p. pr. & vb. n. Commanding.] [OE. comaunden, commanden, OF. comander, F. commander, fr. L. com- + mandare to commit to, to command. Cf. Commend, Mandate.] 1. To order with authority; to lay injunction upon; to direct; to bid; to charge. We are commanded to forgive our enemies, but you never read that we are commanded to forgive our friends. --Bacon. Go to your mistress: Say, I command her come to me. --Shak. 2. To exercise direct authority over; to have control of; to have at one's disposal; to lead. Monmouth commanded the English auxiliaries. --Macaulay. Such aid as I can spare you shall command. --Shak. 3. To have within a sphere of control, influence, access, or vision; to dominate by position; to guard; to overlook. Bridges commanded by a fortified house. --Motley. Up to the eastern tower, Whose height commands as subject all the vale. --Shak. One side commands a view of the finest garden. --Addison. 4. To have power or influence of the nature of authority over; to obtain as if by ordering; to receive as a due; to challenge; to claim; as, justice commands the respect and affections of the people; the best goods command the best price. 'Tis not in mortals to command success. --Addison. 5. To direct to come; to bestow. [Obs.] I will command my blessing upon you. --Lev. xxv. 21. Syn: To bid; order; direct; dictate; charge; govern; rule; overlook.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Command Com*mand", v. i. 1. To have or to exercise direct authority; to govern; to sway; to influence; to give an order or orders. And reigned, commanding in his monarchy. --Shak. For the king had so commanded concerning [Haman]. --Esth. iii. 2. 2. To have a view, as from a superior position. Far and wide his eye commands. --Milton.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Command Com*mand", n. 1. An authoritative order requiring obedience; a mandate; an injunction. Awaiting what command their mighty chief Had to impose. --Milton. 2. The possession or exercise of authority. Command and force may often create, but can never cure, an aversion. --Locke. 3. Authority; power or right of control; leadership; as, the forces under his command. 4. Power to dominate, command, or overlook by means of position; scope of vision; survey. The steepy stand Which overlooks the vale with wide command. --Dryden. 5. Control; power over something; sway; influence; as, to have command over one's temper or voice; the fort has command of the bridge. He assumed an absolute command over his readers. --Dryden. 6. A body of troops, or any naval or military force or post, or the whole territory under the authority or control of a particular officer. Word of command (Mil.), a word or phrase of definite and established meaning, used in directing the movements of soldiers; as, aim; fire; shoulder arms, etc. Syn: Control; sway; power; authority; rule; dominion; sovereignty; mandate; order; injunction; charge; behest. See Direction.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(commands, commanding, commanded) Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English. 1. If someone in authority commands you to do something, they tell you that you must do it. (mainly WRITTEN) He commanded his troops to attack... 'Get in your car and follow me,' he commanded... He commanded that roads be built to link castles across the land... 'Don't panic,' I commanded myself. = instruct, order VERB: V n to-inf, V with quote, V that, V n with quote • Command is also a noun. The tanker failed to respond to a command to stop... ...the note of command in his voice. = instruction, order N-VAR 2. If you command something such as respect or obedience, you obtain it because you are popular, famous, or important. ...an excellent physician who commanded the respect of all his colleagues... VERB: no cont, V n 3. If an army or country commands a place, they have total control over it. Yemen commands the strait at the southern end of the Red Sea. = rule VERB: V n • Command is also a noun. ...the struggle for command of the air. N-UNCOUNT: usu N of n 4. An officer who commands part of an army, navy, or air force is responsible for controlling and organizing it. ...the French general who commands the UN troops in the region... He didn't just command. He personally fought in several heavy battles. VERB: V n, V • Command is also a noun. In 1942 he took command of 108 Squadron. = charge N-UNCOUNT 5. In the armed forces, a command is a group of officers who are responsible for organizing and controlling part of an army, navy, or air force. He had authorisation from the military command to retaliate... N-COUNT-COLL: usu supp N 6. In computing, a command is an instruction that you give to a computer. N-COUNT 7. If someone has command of a situation, they have control of it because they have, or seem to have, power or authority. Mr Baker would take command of the campaign... In times of currency crisis interest rates can raised as a sign that a government is in command. 8. Your command of something, such as a foreign language, is your knowledge of it and your ability to use this knowledge. His command of English was excellent. N-UNCOUNT: N of n 9. see also high command, second-in-command 10. If you have a particular skill or particular resources at your command, you have them and can use them fully. (FORMAL) The country should have the right to defend itself with all legal means at its command. PHRASE

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

I. v. a. 1. Order, direct, bid, charge, require, enjoin. 2. Rule, govern, sway, control, lead, preside over, have authority over. 3. Claim, challenge, exact, compel, demand. 4. Overlook, have under vision or range, dominate, control. II. v. n. Govern, rule, lead, have sway, exercise authority, have control, take the lead. III. n. 1. Order, direction, injunction, mandate, behest, hest, bidding, charge, requirement, requisition, commandment, word of command. 2. Rule, sway, authority, power, dominion, government, control, ascendency, supremacy.

Moby Thesaurus

ALGOL, COBOL, FORTRAN, ability, acme, address, adeptness, administer, administrate, administration, adroitness, airmanship, alphabetic data, alphanumeric code, angular data, animus, aplomb, appetence, appetency, appetite, apprehension, artfulness, artisanship, artistry, ask, assembler, assurance, attract, authority, authorization, be enfeoffed of, be expert in, be learned in, be master, be master of, be possessed of, be responsible for, be seized of, be up on, be well-informed, be-all and end-all, behest, bestraddle, bestride, bid, bidding, binary digit, binary scale, binary system, bit, blue ribbon, boast, bravura, brilliance, bug, byte, call on, call the signals, call upon, canon, capability, capacity, captain, carry on, chair, championship, charge, choice, choose, choose to, claim, clairvoyance, claws, clear, cleverness, clutches, coerce, command pulses, commands, commission, compel, competence, compiler, comprehension, computer code, computer language, computer program, conation, conatus, conception, conceptualization, conduct, confidence, constrain, control, control signals, controlled quantity, coordination, correcting signals, craft, craftsmanship, cunning, data, decide, decision, declare, decree, deftness, demand, desire, determination, determine, devoir, dexterity, dexterousness, dextrousness, dictate, diplomacy, direct, direction, directive, directorship, discipline, discretion, disposition, dominate, domination, dominion, draw on, duty, earn, effectiveness, efficiency, empery, empire, engineer, enjoin, enjoy, error, error signals, exact, expertise, expertism, expertness, eyereach, eyeshot, eyesight, facility, fancy, feedback pulses, feedback signals, field of view, field of vision, fill, film data, finesse, first place, first prize, force, foreknowledge, free choice, free will, give an order, give the word, govern, governance, government, grace, grasp, grip, gripe, guidance, hand, handiness, handle, handling, hands, have, have and hold, have down pat, have in hand, have it taped, have tenure of, head, head up, headship, hegemony, height, helm, hexadecimal system, highest, hold, horizon, horsemanship, husbandry, ideation, imperium, inclination, influence, information, ingeniousness, ingenuity, injunction, input data, input quantity, instruct, instruction, instructions, intellection, intelligence, intention, iron hand, issue a command, issue a writ, jurisdiction, ken, kingship, knack, know backwards, know by heart, know damn well, know inside out, know the ropes, know the score, know well, know-how, lad, law, lead, lead on, leadership, leading, liking, limit of vision, line of sight, look down upon, lordship, lust, machine language, make the rules, manage, management, managery, managing, mandate, maneuver, manipulate, manipulation, marksmanship, master, mastermind, mastership, mastery, maximum, mental grasp, message, might, mind, most, multiple messages, naked eye, ne plus ultra, new high, noise, numeric data, objective, obligation, oblige, occupy, octal system, officer, ordain, order, order about, ordering, ordinance, oscillograph data, outlook, outlook over, output data, output quantity, outtop, overarch, overlook, overshadow, oversight, overtop, palms, paramountcy, passion, perspective, pilotage, play, pleasure, poise, polar data, possess, power, practical ability, precept, precognition, prehension, prescribe, prescript, prescription, preside over, presidency, primacy, proclaim, proficiency, promulgate, pronounce, prospect, prowess, pull the strings, punch-card data, quarterback, quickness, raj, random data, range, readiness, record, rectangular data, reference quantity, regnancy, regulate, regulation, reign, reins of government, request, require, resolution, resolve, resource, resourcefulness, responsibility, rise above, rule, ruly English, run, running, savoir-faire, savvy, say, say the word, scan, scope, scope of vision, seamanship, see fit, sexual desire, sight, sightliness, signals, single messages, skill, skillfulness, skipper, sovereignty, squat, squat on, stand over, statute, steerage, steering, stewardship, strings, style, summon, supervise, supremacy, surmount, survey, sway, tact, tactfulness, take command, take the lead, talons, teaching, technical brilliance, technical mastery, technical skill, technique, tell, the conn, the helm, the wheel, think fit, think good, think proper, timing, top, top spot, tower above, tower over, understanding, unorganized data, usucapt, velleity, view, virtuosity, visible-speech data, vista, volition, warn, wield authority, will, will power, wisdom, wish, wit, wizardry, word, workmanship, zenith