dictation

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dic·ta·tion / dikˈtāshən/ • n. 1. (abbr.: dict.) the action of saying words aloud to be typed, written down, or recorded on tape: the dictation of letters. ∎  the activity of taking down a passage that is read aloud by a teacher as a test of spelling, writing, or language skills: passages for dictation. ∎  an utterance that is typed, written down, or recorded: the person who writes the dictation down is his agent.2. the action of giving orders authoritatively or categorically.