dictate
/ˈdɪkteɪt/·딕테이트·verb
to say words to be written down; to give orders
LatinCEFR B2
Root
Latin 'dictare' (say often, dictate)
Latin dictare (frequentative of dicere) → French dicter → English dictate
In a word
dict (to speak) + -ate (cause to) = 'cause by speaking'. A dictation is what's spoken being copied down verbatim; a dictator is someone whose speech becomes the rule. So dictate isn't just speaking — it's "what I say, you follow". Even dictionary shares the root — a book where words "speak" their meanings.
Examples
The boss dictated a letter to his assistant.
Don't let fear dictate your choices.
Tradition dictates that we eat rice cake on New Year.
Related
predictcontradictverdictdictatordiction