Definitions for: Command


[n] availability for use; "the materials at the command of the potters grew"
[n] the power or authority to command; "an admiral in command"
[n] great skillfulness and knowledge of some subject or activity; "a good command of French"
[n] (computer science) a line of code written as part of a computer program
[n] an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
[n] a military unit or region under the control of a single officer
[n] a position of highest authority; "the corporation has just undergone a change in command"
[v] make someone do something
[v] be in command of; "The general commanded a huge army"
[v] demand as one's due; "This speaker commands a high fee"; "The author commands a fair hearing from his readers"
[v] exercise authoritative control or power over; "control the budget"; "Command the military forces"
[v] look down on; "The villa dominates the town"



Webster (1913) Definition: Com*mand" (?; 61), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Commanded; p.
pr. & vb. n. Commanding.] [OE. comaunden, commanden, OF.
comander, F. commander, fr. L. com- + mandare to commit to,
to command. Cf. Commend, Mandate.]
1. To order with authority; to lay injunction upon; to
direct; to bid; to charge.

We are commanded to forgive our enemies, but you
never read that we are commanded to forgive our
friends. --Bacon.

Go to your mistress: Say, I command her come to me.
--Shak.

2. To exercise direct authority over; to have control of; to
have at one's disposal; to lead.

Monmouth commanded the English auxiliaries.
--Macaulay.

Such aid as I can spare you shall command. --Shak.

3. To have within a sphere of control, influence, access, or
vision; to dominate by position; to guard; to overlook.

Bridges commanded by a fortified house. --Motley.

Up to the eastern tower, Whose height commands as
subject all the vale. --Shak.

One side commands a view of the finest garden.
--Addison.

4. To have power or influence of the nature of authority
over; to obtain as if by ordering; to receive as a due; to
challenge; to claim; as, justice commands the respect and
affections of the people; the best goods command the best
price.

'Tis not in mortals to command success. --Addison.

5. To direct to come; to bestow. [Obs.]

I will command my blessing upon you. --Lev. xxv.
21.

Syn: To bid; order; direct; dictate; charge; govern; rule;
overlook.


Com*mand", v. i.
1. To have or to exercise direct authority; to govern; to
sway; to influence; to give an order or orders.

And reigned, commanding in his monarchy. --Shak.

For the king had so commanded concerning [Haman].
--Esth. iii.
2.

2. To have a view, as from a superior position.

Far and wide his eye commands. --Milton.


Com*mand", n.
1. An authoritative order requiring obedience; a mandate; an
injunction.

Awaiting what command their mighty chief Had to
impose. --Milton.

2. The possession or exercise of authority.

Command and force may often create, but can never
cure, an aversion. --Locke.

3. Authority; power or right of control; leadership; as, the
forces under his command.

4. Power to dominate, command, or overlook by means of
position; scope of vision; survey.

The steepy stand Which overlooks the vale with wide
command. --Dryden.

5. Control; power over something; sway; influence; as, to
have command over one's temper or voice; the fort has
command of the bridge.

He assumed an absolute command over his readers.
--Dryden.

6. A body of troops, or any naval or military force or post,
or the whole territory under the authority or control of a
particular officer.

Word of command (Mil.), a word or phrase of definite and
established meaning, used in directing the movements of
soldiers; as, aim; fire; shoulder arms, etc.

Syn: Control; sway; power; authority; rule; dominion;
sovereignty; mandate; order; injunction; charge; behest.
See Direction.

Synonyms: bid, bidding, compel, control, control, dictation, dominate, instruction, mastery, overlook, overtop, program line, require, statement

See Also: accessibility, authorisation, authority, authorization, availability, availableness, becharm, behest, burden, call, call the shots, call the tune, care, channelise, channelize, charge, charge, charm, code, command line, commandment, commission, computer code, computer program, computer programme, corner, deal, demand, direct, direction, disallow, dominance, dominate, dominate, draw rein, dwarf, enjoin, exact, forbid, force, general, govern, guide, handiness, handle, harness, head, hold, hold one's own, hold sway, injunction, interdict, internationalise, internationalize, lie, link, macro, macro instruction, manage, maneuver, manoeuvre, master, master, military force, military group, military unit, monopolise, monopolize, officer, open sesame, order, order, overshadow, point, position, preoccupy, preside, program, programme, prohibit, proscribe, regiment, rein, rein in, requisition, rule, saddle, say, say-so, shadow, skillfulness, speech act, status, steer, system error, tell, toggle, veto, wear the trousers

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