command
    n 1: an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
         [syn: command, bid, bidding, dictation]
    2: a military unit or region under the control of a single
       officer
    3: the power or authority to command; "an admiral in command"
    4: availability for use; "the materials at the command of the
       potters grew"
    5: a position of highest authority; "the corporation has just
       undergone a change in command"
    6: great skillfulness and knowledge of some subject or activity;
       "a good command of French" [syn: command, control,
       mastery]
    7: (computer science) a line of code written as part of a
       computer program [syn: instruction, command, statement,
       program line]
    v 1: be in command of; "The general commanded a huge army"
    2: make someone do something [syn: command, require]
    3: demand as one's due; "This speaker commands a high fee"; "The
       author commands a fair hearing from his readers"
    4: look down on; "The villa dominates the town" [syn:
       dominate, command, overlook, overtop]
    5: exercise authoritative control or power over; "control the
       budget"; "Command the military forces" [syn: control,
       command]

Command \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.
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            We are commanded to forgive our enemies, but you
            never read that we are commanded to forgive our
            friends.                              --Bacon.
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            Go to your mistress:
            Say, I command her come to me.        --Shak.
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   2. To exercise direct authority over; to have control of; to
      have at one's disposal; to lead.
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            Monmouth commanded the English auxiliaries.
                                                  --Macaulay.
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            Such aid as I can spare you shall command. --Shak.
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   3. To have within a sphere of control, influence, access, or
      vision; to dominate by position; to guard; to overlook.
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            Bridges commanded by a fortified house. --Motley.
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            Up to the eastern tower,
            Whose height commands as subject all the vale.
                                                  --Shak.
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            One side commands a view of the finest garden.
                                                  --Addison.
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   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.
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            'Tis not in mortals to command success. --Addison.
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   5. To direct to come; to bestow. [Obs.]
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            I will command my blessing upon you.  --Lev. xxv.
                                                  21.

   Syn: To bid; order; direct; dictate; charge; govern; rule;
        overlook.
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Command \Com*mand"\, v. i.
   1. To have or to exercise direct authority; to govern; to
      sway; to influence; to give an order or orders.
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            And reigned, commanding in his monarchy. --Shak.
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            For the king had so commanded concerning [Haman].
                                                  --Esth. iii.
                                                  2.
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   2. To have a view, as from a superior position.
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            Far and wide his eye commands.        --Milton.
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Command \Com*mand"\, n.
   1. An authoritative order requiring obedience; a mandate; an
      injunction.
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            Awaiting what command their mighty chief
            Had to impose.                        --Milton.
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   2. The possession or exercise of authority.
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            Command and force may often create, but can never
            cure, an aversion.                    --Locke.
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   3. Authority; power or right of control; leadership; as, the
      forces under his command.
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   4. Power to dominate, command, or overlook by means of
      position; scope of vision; survey.
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            The steepy stand
            Which overlooks the vale with wide command.
                                                  --Dryden.
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   5. Control; power over something; sway; influence; as, to
      have command over one's temper or voice; the fort has
      command of the bridge.
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            He assumed an absolute command over his readers.
                                                  --Dryden.
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   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.
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   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.
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command

    A character string which tells a program to
   perform a specific action.  Most commands take arguments
   which either modify the action performed or supply it with
   input.  Commands may be typed by the user or read from a file
   by a command interpreter.  It is also common to refer to
   menu items as commands.

   (1997-06-21)

COMMAND. This word has several meanings. 1. It signifies an order; an 
apprentice is bound to obey the lawful command of his master; a constable 
may command rioters to keep the peace. 
     2. He who commands another to do an unlawful act, is accessary to it. 3 
Inst. 51, 57; 2 Inst. 182; 1 Hayw. 
     3. Command is also equivalent to deputation or voluntary substitution; 
as, when a master employs one to do a thing, he is said to have Commanded 
him to do it; and he is responsible accordingly. Story Ag. Sec. 454, note.