im·per·a·tive ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() adj.
n.
[Middle English imperatif, relating to the imperative mood, from Old French, from Late Latin imper ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() im·per ![]() im·per ![]() |
Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. [Buy it] |
imperative
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Source: Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc. |
imperative
\Im*per"a*tive\, a. [L. imperativus, fr. imperare to command; pref. im- in + parare to make ready, prepare: cf. F. imp['e]ratif. See Perade, and cf. Empire.] 1. Expressive of command; containing positive command; authoritatively or absolutely directive; commanding; authoritative; as, imperative orders.
The suit of kings are imperative. --Bp. Hall.
2. Not to be avoided or evaded; obligatory; binding; compulsory; as, an imperative duty or order.
3. (Gram.) Expressive of commund, entreaty, advice, or exhortation; as, the imperative mood.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc. |
imperative
\Im*per"a*tive\, n. (Gram.) The imperative mood; also, a verb in the imperative mood.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc. |
imperative
adj 1: requiring attention or action; "as nuclear weapons proliferate, preventing war becomes imperative"; "requests that grew more and more imperative" [ant: beseeching] 2: (grammar) relating to verbs in the imperative mood n 1: a mood that expresses an intention to influence the listener's behavior [syn: imperative mood, jussive mood] 2: some duty that is essential and urgent