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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Command \Com*mand"\ (?; 61), verb (used with an object) [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.
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Definitions retrieved from local copies of the freely distributed DICT client/server software and databases. Click here for database copyright information. - KM |