command

com•mand

[[t]kəˈmænd, -ˈmɑnd[/t]] v. t.

1) to direct with specific authority or prerogative; order:

to command troops to march[/ex]

2) to require authoritatively; demand:

to command silence[/ex]

3) to deserve and receive (respect, sympathy, attention, etc.)

4) to dominate by reason of location; overlook:

The hill commands the sea[/ex]

5) mil to have authority over and responsibility for (a military installation)

6) to have control over; be master of:

The Pharaoh commanded 10,000 slaves[/ex]

7) to issue an order or orders

8) to be in charge; have authority

9) to occupy a dominating position; look down upon or over a body of water, region, etc

10) the act of commanding or ordering

11) an order given by one in authority

12) an order in prescribed words, as one given in a loud voice to troops at close-order drill:

The command was “Right shoulder arms!”[/ex]

13) mil

a) (cap.) a principal component of the U.S. Air Force:

Strategic Air Command[/ex]

b) a body of troops or a station, ship, etc., under a commander

14) the possession or exercise of controlling authority:

a lieutenant in command of a platoon[/ex]

15) expertise; mastery:

to have a command of four languages[/ex]

16) power of dominating a region by reason of location; extent of view or outlook:

the command of the valley from the hill[/ex]

17) cmp a signal, as a keystroke, instructing a computer to perform a specific task

18) of, pertaining to, or resulting from a command

19) of or pertaining to a commander

20) ordered or requested, as by a sovereign:

a command performance[/ex]

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Etymology: 1250–1300; ME < AF com(m)a(u)nder, OF comander < ML commandāre= L com- com-+mandāre to entrust, order; cf. commend com•mand′a•ble, adj. syn: See direct