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Webster 1913 Edition
Imperative
Im-per′a-tive
(ĭm-pĕr′ȧ-tĭv)
, Adj.
1.
Expressive of command; containing positive command; authoritatively or absolutely directive; commanding; authoritative;
as,
. imperative
ordersThe suit of kings are
imperative
. Bp. Hall.
2.
Not to be avoided or evaded; obligatory; binding; compulsory;
as, an
. imperative
duty or order3.
(Gram.)
Expressive of command, entreaty, advice, or exhortation;
as, the
. imperative
moodIm-per′a-tive
,Noun.
(Gram.)
The imperative mood; also, a verb in the imperative mood.
Webster 1828 Edition
Imperative
IMPER'ATIVE
,Adj.
1.
Commanding; expressive of command; containing positive command, as distinguished from advisory, or discretionary. The orders are imperative.2.
In grammar, the imperative mode of a verb is that which expresses command, entreaty, advice or exhortation; as, go, write, attend.Definition 2024
imperative
imperative
See also: impérative
English
Alternative forms
Adjective
imperative (comparative more imperative, superlative most imperative)
- essential
- It is imperative that you come here right now.
- (grammar) of, or relating to the imperative mood
- (computing theory) Having a semantics that incorporates mutable variables.
- Expressing a command; authoritatively or absolutely directive.
- imperative orders
- Bishop Hall
- The suits of kings are imperative.
Translations
essential
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grammar: of, or relating to the imperative mood
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computing: having semantics that incorporates mutable variables
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Noun
imperative (countable and uncountable, plural imperatives)
- (uncountable, grammar) The grammatical mood expressing an order (see jussive). In English, the imperative form of a verb is the same as that of the bare infinitive.
- The verbs in sentences like "Do it!" and "Say what you like!" are in the imperative.
- (countable, grammar) A verb in imperative mood.
- (countable) An essential action, a must: something which is imperative.
- Visiting Berlin is an imperative.
- 2014 March 1, Rupert Christiansen, “English translations rarely sing”, in The Daily Telegraph (Review), page R19:
- Anything grandiose or historically based tends to sound flat and banal when it reaches English, partly because translators get stuck between contradictory imperatives: juggling fidelity to the original sense with what is vocally viable, they tend to resort to a genteel fustian which lacks either poetic resonance or demotic realism, adding to a sense of artificiality rather than enhancing credibility.
Synonyms
- (grammatical mood) imperative mood
Derived terms
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Coordinate terms
- (in grammar): assertoric, interrogative
Translations
imperative mood — see imperative mood
essential action
Latin
Alternative forms
- inperātīvē
Etymology
From imperātīvus (“commanded”), from imperō (“command, order”), from im- (“form of in”) + parō (“prepare, arrange; intend”).
Adverb
imperātīvē (not comparable)
- In an imperative manner, imperatively.
Related terms
References
- imperative in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
- Félix Gaffiot (1934), “imperative”, in Dictionnaire Illustré Latin-Français, Paris: Hachette.