Command Definition
command
Wikipedia has articles on: Command
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English
Etymology
From Old French comander (modern French commander), from Vulgar Latin *commandare, from Latin commendare, from com- + mandare, from mandō (“I order, command”). Compare commend, mandate.
Pronunciation
Noun
command (plural commands)
- An order, a compelling task given to an inferior or a machine.
- I was given a command to cease shooting.
- The right or authority to order, control or dispose of; the right to be obeyed or to compel obedience.
- to have command of an army
- power of control, direction or disposal; mastery.
- he had command of the situation
- England has long held command of the sea
- a good command of language
- A position of chief authority; a position involving the right or power to order or control.
- General Smith was placed in command.
- The act of commanding; exercise or authority of influence.
- Command cannot be otherwise than savage, for it implies an appeal to force, should force be needful. (H. Spencer, Social Statics, p. 180)
- (military) A body or troops, or any naval or military force, under the control of a particular officer.
- Dominating situation; range or control or oversight; extent of view or outlook.
- (computing) A directive to a computer program acting as an interpreter of some kind, in order to perform a specific task.
- (baseball) The degree of control a pitcher has over his pitches.
- He's got good command tonight.
Verb
command (third-person singular simple present commands, present participle commanding, simple past and past participle commanded)
- (transitive) To order, give orders; to compel or direct with authority.
- The soldier was commanded to cease firing.
- The king commanded his servant to bring him dinner.
- (transitive) To have or exercise supreme power, control or authority over, especially military; to have under direction or control.
- to command an army or a ship
- (transitive) To require with authority; to demand, order, enjoin.
- he commanded silence
- If thou be the son of God, command that these stones be made bread. (Mat. IV. 3.)
- (transitive) to dominate through ability, resources, position etc.; to overlook.
- Bridges commanded by a fortified house. (Motley.)
- (transitive) To exact, compel or secure by my moral influence; to deserve, claim.
- A good magistrate commands the respect and affections of the people.
- Justice commands the respect and affections of the people.
- The best goods command the best price.
- To hold, to control the use of
- The fort commanded the bay.
Synonyms
Translations
to order
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Derived terms
Terms derived from the noun or verb command
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References
- command in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
- “command” in OED Online, Oxford University Press, 1989.
Statistics
- Most common English words before 1923: considerable · private · dinner · #769: command · etc. · broke · waiting
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