Definition of dictate to

The phrase "dictate to" originated in the late 1700s, during a time when the use of secretaries or amanuenses, who would write down the dictation of their employers, was becoming increasingly common. "Dictate," which comes from the Latin word "dicere," meaning "to say," originally referred to the act of speaking authoritative or authoritative-sounding statements. The word "to" can be traced back to the 1300s, when it meant "to" or "towards." In English, the phrase "dictate to" originally referred specifically to the act of giving instructions or commands to a secretary for them to write down. The verb "dictate," in this sense, came to be associated with someone in a position of authority or expertise who was overseeing or supervising the work of a less experienced person. Over time, the phrase "dictate to" has broadened in meaning to include any situation where someone is instructing or guiding another person or group, typically in a professional or formal context. In summary, the origin of the phrase "dictate to" can be traced back to the combination of the Latin word "dicere" and the English preposition "to," which both have meanings related to speaking or directing actions towards others. This phrase has come to signify the delegation of speech or authoritative communication from one person to another.