5. To direct to come; to bestow. [Obs.]
I will command my blessing upon you.
Lev. xxv. 21.
Syn. — To bid; order; direct; dictate; charge; govern; rule; overlook.
Command
(Com*mand"), v. i.
1. To have or to exercise direct authority; to govern; to sway; to influence; to give an order or orders.
And reigned, commanding in his monarchy.
Shak.
For the king had so commanded concerning [Haman].
Esth. iii. 2.
2. To have a view, as from a superior position.
Far and wide his eye commands.
Milton.
Command
(Com*mand"), n.
1. An authoritative order requiring obedience; a mandate; an injunction.
Awaiting what command their mighty chief
Had to impose.
Milton.
2. The possession or exercise of authority.
Command and force may often create, but can never cure, an aversion.
Locke.
3. Authority; power or right of control; leadership; as, the forces under his command.
4. Power to dominate, command, or overlook by means of position; scope of vision; survey.
The steepy stand
Which overlooks the vale with wide command.
Dryden.
5. Control; power over something; sway; influence; as, to have command over one's temper or voice; the
fort has command of the bridge.
He assumed an absolute command over his readers.
Dryden.
6. A body of troops, or any naval or military force or post, or the whole territory under the authority or
control of a particular officer.
Word of command (Mil.), a word or phrase of definite and established meaning, used in directing the
movements of soldiers; as, aim; fire; shoulder arms, etc.
Syn. — Control; sway; power; authority; rule; dominion; sovereignty; mandate; order; injunction; charge; behest.
See Direction.
Commandable
(Com*mand"a*ble) a. Capable of being commanded.
Commandant
(Com`man*dant") n. [F., orig. p. pr. of commander.] A commander; the commanding
officer of a place, or of a body of men; as, the commandant of a navy-yard.
Commandatory
(Com*mand"a*to*ry) a. Mandatory; as, commandatory authority. [Obs.]
Commander
(Com*mand"er) n. [Cf. F. commandeur. Cf. Commodore, Commender.]
