Spoke words aloud for someone else to write down, or gave orders that others must obey.
From Latin 'dictare,' meaning 'to say repeatedly' or 'to prescribe.' It evolved to mean both the act of speaking for transcription and exercising authority or control.
Ancient Roman leaders like Julius Caesar would dictate letters to scribes while marching or in battle, so important messages could be sent without Caesar stopping what he was doing — this practice inspired the modern business dictation!
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