Definition of imperative

The word "imperative" comes from the Latin word "imperativus," which means "commanding" or "imperious." In Roman law, an imperativus was an order or command given by a superior. The word was later adopted into the French language as "imperatif," which referred to the imperative mood in a verb. The French used this term to describe the form of a verb that was used for giving commands or expressed urgency. In the 17th century, English writers such as John Dryden and Jonathan Swift began using the term "imperative" in their works, often in the context of grammar and rhetoric. They used it to refer to the form of a verb that expressed a command or instruction. Over time, the meaning of "imperative" has expanded to include not just verbs, but also nouns and adjectives that convey a sense of necessity or urgency. But the original sense of the word as a commanding or authoritative form of a verb remains central to its current meaning. So, the origin of the word "imperative" can be traced back to the Latin word "imperativus" and its use in Roman law to describe a commanding order or instruction given by a superior.