imperative
noun/ɪmˈperətɪv/
/ɪmˈperətɪv/
- (formal) a thing that is very important and needs immediate attention or action; a factor that makes something necessary
- the economic imperative of quality education for all
- the biological imperatives that guide male and female behaviour
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- (grammar) the form of a verb that expresses an order; a verb in this form
- ‘Go away!’ is an imperative.
- in the imperative In ‘Go away!’ the verb is in the imperative.
Word Originlate Middle English (as a grammatical term): from late Latin imperativus (literally ‘specially ordered’, translating Greek prostatikē enklisis ‘imperative mood’), from imperare ‘to command’, from in- ‘towards’ + parare ‘make ready’.
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imperative