The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Dictate \Dic"tate\, n. [L. dictatum. See Dictate, v. t.]
   A statement delivered with authority; an order; a command; an
   authoritative rule, principle, or maxim; a prescription; as,
   listen to the dictates of your conscience; the dictates of
   the gospel.
   [1913 Webster]

         I credit what the Grecian dictates say.  --Prior.

   Syn: Command; injunction; direction suggestion; impulse;
        admonition.
        [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Dictate \Dic"tate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dictated; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Dictating.] [L. dictatus, p. p. of dictare, freq. of
   dicere to say. See Diction, and cf. Dight.]
   1. To tell or utter so that another may write down; to
      inspire; to compose; as, to dictate a letter to an
      amanuensis.
      [1913 Webster]

            The mind which dictated the Iliad.    --Wayland.
      [1913 Webster]

            Pages dictated by the Holy Spirit.    --Macaulay.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To say; to utter; to communicate authoritatively; to
      deliver (a command) to a subordinate; to declare with
      authority; to impose; as, to dictate the terms of a
      treaty; a general dictates orders to his troops.
      [1913 Webster]

            Whatsoever is dictated to us by God must be
            believed.                             --Watts.

   Syn: To suggest; prescribe; enjoin; command; point out; urge;
        admonish.
        [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Dictate \Dic"tate\, v. i.
   1. To speak as a superior; to command; to impose conditions
      (on).
      [1913 Webster]

            Who presumed to dictate to the sovereign.
                                                  --Macaulay.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To compose literary works; to tell what shall be written
      or said by another.
      [1913 Webster]

            Sylla could not skill of letters, and therefore knew
            not how to dictate.                   --Bacon.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

dictate
    n 1: an authoritative rule
    2: a guiding principle; "the dictates of reason"
    v 1: issue commands or orders for [syn: order, prescribe,
         dictate]
    2: say out loud for the purpose of recording; "He dictated a
       report to his secretary"
    3: rule as a dictator