dictar

to dictate

verb deek-TAHR Less Common

Origin: From Latin dictare, frequentative of dicere (to say).

Also means

to issue (a ruling)

Usage Note

Dictar covers both dictating words for someone to write (dictar una carta) and issuing an official order — dictar sentencia means 'to hand down a sentence', and dictar una ley means 'to enact a law'.

Examples

"El juez dictó una sentencia firme."

Natural Translation

The judge issued a firm ruling.

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