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51 results for: Imperative

Dictionary Entries (11 more entries. View all »)
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source
im·per·a·tive    Audio Help   [im-per-uh-tiv] Pronunciation Key
–adjective
1.absolutely necessary or required; unavoidable: It is imperative that we leave.
2.of the nature of or expressing a command; commanding.
3.Grammar. noting or pertaining to the mood of the verb used in commands, requests, etc., as in Listen! Go! Compare indicative (def. 2), subjunctive (def. 1).
–noun
4.a command.
5.something that demands attention or action; an unavoidable obligation or requirement; necessity: It is an imperative that we help defend friendly nations.
6.Grammar.
a.the imperative mood.
b.a verb in this mood.
7.an obligatory statement, principle, or the like.
[Origin: 1520–30; < LL imperātivus, equiv. to L imperāt(us) ptp. of imperāre to impose, order, command (im- im-1 + -per- (comb. form of parāre to fur-nish (with), produce, obtain, prepare) + -ātus -ate1) + -īvus -ive]

—Related forms
im·per·a·tive·ly, adverb
im·per·a·tive·ness, noun

—Synonyms 1. inescapable; indispensable, essential; exigent, compelling.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Thesaurus Entries
  Roget's II: The New Thesaurus - Cite This Source
Main Entry:  burning
Part of Speech:  adjective
Definition:  Compelling immediate attention.
Synonyms:  crying, dire, emergent, exigent, instant, pressing, urgent
Source:  Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition
by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary.
Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

  Roget's II: The New Thesaurus - Cite This Source
Main Entry:  duty
Part of Speech:  noun
Definition:  An act or course of action that is demanded of one, as by position, custom, law, or religion.
Synonyms:  burden, charge, commitment, must, need, obligation, responsibility
Source:  Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition
by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary.
Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

  Roget's II: The New Thesaurus - Cite This Source
Main Entry:  required
Part of Speech:  adjective
Definition:  Imposed on one by authority, command, or convention.
Synonyms:  compulsory, mandatory, necessary, obligatory, requisite
Source:  Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition
by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary.
Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.


Encyclopedia Articles (35 more entries. View all »)
Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia - Cite This Source

imperative: see mood.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia Copyright © 2004, Columbia University Press.
Licensed from Columbia University Press


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