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| im·per·a·tive [ im pérrətiv ] |
adjective |
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| Definition: |
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1. necessary: absolutely necessary or unavoidable
  It is imperative that justice is seen to be done.
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2. commanding: forceful and demanding the obedience and respect of others
(
formal
)
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3. grammar used for giving orders: describes the mood or a form of a verb that expresses a command or request, e.g. the verb form "come" in "Come here!"
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noun (plural im·per·a·tives) |
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| Definition: |
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1. priority: something that must be done
Preservation of honor is a moral imperative.
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2. grammar way of commanding: the mood of a verb used to give an order
when the verb is used in the imperative
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3. grammar verb expressing command or request: a verb in the imperative mood, e.g. "close" in "Please close the door"
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| [15th century. < late Latin imperativus "specially ordered" < Latin imperare "to command" < parare "prepare"] |
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| im·per·a·tive·ly adverb |
| im·per·a·tive·ness noun |
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