dictation (diktashon)

[ What heresies and prodigious opinions have been set on foot, under the pretence of the dictation and warrant of God's Spirit! Bp. Hall, Remains, p. 148. 2. Authoritative command or control; positive or arbitrary prescription, direction, or order: as, his dictation brought affairs into great con fusion. If either of these two powers [France and Spain] had disarmed, it would soon have been compelled to submit to the dictation of the other. Macaulay . =Syn. Injunction, prescription, direction.