imperative

imperative
im|per|a|tive1 [ımˈperətıv] adj
[Date: 1400-1500; : Late Latin; Origin: imperativus, from Latin imperatus, past participle of imperare 'to command']
1.) extremely important and needing to be done or dealt with immediately
It is imperative that politicians should be good communicators.
it is imperative (for sb) to do sth
It is imperative to meet face to face with the client.
It is imperative for us to remain on good terms.
2.) technical an imperative verb is one that expresses an order, such as 'stand up'
>imperatively adv
imperative 2
imperative2 n
1.) something that must be done urgently
A broad and balanced education is an imperative for raising standards.
2.) formal an idea or belief that has a strong influence on people, making them behave in a particular way
Sharing food is the most important moral imperative in Semai society.
3.) technical the form of a verb that expresses an order. For example, in the order 'come here', 'come' is in the imperative

Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.

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  • Imperative — Im*per a*tive, a. [L. imperativus, fr. imperare to command; pref. im in + parare to make ready, prepare: cf. F. imp[ e]ratif. See {Perade}, and cf. {Empire}.] 1. Expressive of command; containing positive command; authoritatively or absolutely… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Imperative — can mean: *Imperative mood, a grammatical mood expressing commands, direct requests, and prohibitions *Imperative programming, a programming paradigm in computer science *Moral imperative, a philosophical concept relating to obligation …   Wikipedia

  • imperative — I adjective compulsory, critical, crucial, demanding, essential, exigent, impero, indispensable, mandatory, necessary, needful, obligatory, pressing, required, requiring immediate attention, requisite, unavoidable, urgent associated concepts:… …   Law dictionary

  • imperative — [im per′ə tiv] adj. [LL imperativus, commanding < pp. of L imperare, to command: see EMPEROR] 1. having the nature of, or indicating, power or authority; commanding [an imperative gesture] 2. absolutely necessary; urgent; compelling [it is… …   English World dictionary

  • Imperative — Im*per a*tive, n. (Gram.) The imperative mood; also, a verb in the imperative mood. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • imperative — [adj1] necessary acute, burning, clamant, clamorous, compulsory, critical, crucial, crying, essential, exigent, immediate, important, importunate, indispensable, inescapable, insistent, instant, no turning back*, obligatory, pressing, urgent,… …   New thesaurus

  • imperative — 1 peremptory, imperious, *masterful, domineering Analogous words: commanding, ordering, bidding (see COMMAND vb): magisterial, *dictatorial, dogmatic, oracular: arbitrary, autocratic, despotic (see ABSOLUTE) Contrasted words: supplicating or… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • imperative — ► ADJECTIVE 1) of vital importance. 2) giving an authoritative command. 3) Grammar denoting the mood of a verb that expresses a command or exhortation, as in come here! ► NOUN ▪ an essential or urgent thing. DERIVATIVES imperatively adverb …   English terms dictionary

  • imperative — I adj. 1) imperative to + inf. (it is imperative to act now) 2) imperative that + clause; subj. (it is imperative that you be/should be present) II n. 1) a moral imperative 2) an imperative that + clause; subj. (it is a moral imperative that no… …   Combinatory dictionary

  • imperative — I UK [ɪmˈperətɪv] / US adjective 1) formal extremely important and urgent Long term investing is risky, and careful planning is imperative. it is imperative (that): It is imperative that these claims are dealt with quickly. it is imperative to do …   English dictionary

  • imperative — im|per|a|tive1 [ ım perətıv ] adjective 1. ) FORMAL extremely important and urgent: Long term investing is risky, and careful planning is imperative. it is imperative (that): It is imperative that these claims are dealt with quickly. it is… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

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