Com*mand" , n.
1. An authoritative order
requiring obedience; a mandate; an injunction.
Awaiting what command their mighty chief
Had to impose.
Milton.
2. The possession or exercise of authority.
Command and force may
often create, but can never
cure, an aversion.
Locke.
3. Authority; power or right of control; leadership; as, the forces under his command.
4. Power to dominate, command, or overlook by means of position; scope of vision; survey.
The steepy stand
Which overlooks the vale with
wide command.
Dryden.
5. Control; power over something; sway; influence; as, to have
command over one's temper
or voice; the fort has
command of the bridge.
He assumed an absolute command over his readers.
Dryden.
6. A body
of troops, or any naval or
military force or post, or the whole territory under the authority or control of
a particular officer.
Word
of command (Mil.),
a word or
phrase of definite and established meaning, used in directing the movements of soldiers; as, aim; fire; shoulder arms, etc.
Syn. -- Control; sway; power; authority; rule; dominion; sovereignty;
mandate; order; injunction; charge; behest. See Direction.
Com*mand" , v. i. 1. To
have or to exercise direct authority; to govern; to sway; to influence; to give an order
or orders.
And reigned, commanding in his monarchy.
Shak.
For the king had
so commanded concerning [Haman].
Esth. iii.
2.
2. To
have a view,
as from a superior position.
Far and wide
his eye commands.
Milton.
Com*mand" (?; 61), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Commanded;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Commanding.]
[OE. comaunden,
commanden, OF. comander, F. commander, fr. L. com- + mandare to commit to,
to command. Cf. Commend, Mandate.] 1. To order with
authority; to lay injunction upon; to direct; to bid; to charge.
We are commanded to forgive our enemies, but you never read that we
are commanded to forgive our friends.
Bacon.
Go to your mistress:
Say, I command her come to me.
Shak.
2. To exercise direct authority over; to have control of; to have at one's disposal; to lead.
Monmouth commanded
the English auxiliaries.
Macaulay.
Such
aid as I can spare you
shall command.
Shak.
3. To have within a sphere of control, influence, access, or vision; to dominate by position; to guard; to overlook.
Bridges
commanded by a fortified house.
Motley.
Up to the eastern tower,
Whose height commands as subject all the vale.
Shak.
One side
commands a view of the finest garden.
Addison.
4. To have power or
influence of the nature of
authority over; to obtain as
if by ordering; to receive as a
due; to challenge; to claim; as, justice commands the respect and affections of the people; the best goods command the best price.
'Tis not in mortals to command success.
Addison.
5. To direct to
come; to bestow. [Obs.]
I will command my blessing upon you.
Lev. xxv. 21.
Syn. -- To bid; order; direct; dictate; charge; govern; rule; overlook.
Hear it pronounced