- dictate (v.)
- 1590s, "to practice dictation," from L. dictatus, pp. of dictare "say often, prescribe," freq. of dicere "tell, say" (see diction). Sense of "command" is 1620s. The noun is from 1590s. Dictaphone is from 1907, a proprietary name (Columbia Phonograph Co.). Dictograph was patented 1907 in U.S. by K.M. Turner and W. Donnan.