imperativeadj.n.

Brit.

/ɪmˈpɛrətɪv/, U.S.

/ᵻmˈpɛrədɪv/

Forms: late Middle English inperatyf, late Middle English–1500s imperatyf, 1500s imparatyve, 1500s imperatife, 1500s imperatyue, 1500s imperatyve, 1500s–1600s imparatiue, 1500s–1600s imparative, 1500s–1600s imperatiue, 1600s inperative.

Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: French imperatif; Latin imperativus.

Etymology: < (i) Anglo-Norman and Middle French imperatif (French impératif ) (adjective) (in grammar) expressing a command (end of the 12th cent. in Old French), of the nature of a command (late 14th cent.), (noun) imperative mood (early 13th cent.), and its etymon (ii) post-classical Latin imperativus (in grammar) expressing a command (4th cent.), that commands (4th cent.), of or proceeding from a command, commanded (5th cent.) < classical Latin imperāt- , past participial stem of imperāre to command (see imperate v.) + -īvus -ive suffix, originally (in grammar) after ancient Greek προστακτικός.Compare Catalan imperatiu (14th cent.), Spanish imperativo (early 15th cent. as adjective, late 15th cent. (in grammar) as noun), Portuguese imperativo (early 16th cent. as adjective, also as noun), Italian imperativo (early 14th cent. as adjective and noun, earliest in grammar). Specific senses. With sense A. 3 compare French impératif authoritative (1713). With use as noun compare post-classical Latin imperativus (masculine) imperative mood (4th cent.), imperativa (neuter plural) imperative verbs (6th cent.), and also German Imperativ (15th cent.; in early use often with Latin inflectional endings). Compare the following early use of the post-classical Latin word (in senses A. 1 and B. 1) in an English context:OE Ælfric Gram. (St. John's Oxf.) 125 Þæt oðer modvs ys imperativvs, þæt ys, bebeodendlic: mid þam gemete we hatað oðre menn don sum ðing [oððe sum ðing] þrowian.OE Ælfric Gram. (St. John's Oxf.) 131 imperativo modo on bebeodendlicum gemete.OE Ælfric Gram. (St. John's Oxf.) 210 Sume word maciað heora imperativvm on c: facio ic do oððe wyrce, fac do; dic sege; duc læd. Specific forms. With forms in in- compare in- prefix³.

A. adj.

1. Grammar. Designating a verbal mood, construction, or form expressing a command, request, warning, offer, or entreaty; of or relating to this mood.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > mood > [adjective] > imperative

imperativec1450

commanding1565

mandativea1631

imperatival1849

c1450 in D. Thomson Middle Eng. Grammatical Texts (1984) 38 How knowyste imperatyf moode? That at byddyth or commaundeth, as ‘Go hens’, vade hinc.

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement Introd. 31 Modes: every parfyte verbe hath vi, the indicatyve, imperatyve [etc.].

1581 R. Goade in Confer. (1584) ii. sig. Mij^v It is the Imperatiue mode, and therefore a commaundement.

1620 E. Reeve Twelve Rules introducting to Art Latine 3 The impersonall passiue hath an imperatiue pretertence.

1665 G. Wither Medit. upon Lords Prayer 125 It is usual with the Prophets to express in the Imperative Mood, and by way of Prayer, those Benedictions which God hath decreed and promised to the Righteous.

1714 R. Johnson Noctes Nottinghamicæ 5 All Forms of Speech are either Declarative, Interrogative, Imperative, or Subjunctive.

1795 L. Murray Eng. Gram. 39 The Imperative Mode is used for commanding, exhorting, intreating, or permitting.

1814 J. Ross Short, Plain, Comprehensive, Pract. Lat. Gram. (ed. 5) 150 Imperative singulars of the second conjugation end long; as, dŏcē.

1895 W. H. D. Rouse tr. K. Brugmann Elem. Compar. Gram. Indo-Germanic Langs. IV. 75 The imperative forms have non-original strong stem.

1937 Language 13 50 Two basic moods are to be recognized in Chichewa: indicative and imperative.

1985 R. Quirk et al. Comprehensive Gram. Eng. Lang. 148 A better candidate than let for quasi-modal status, in informal English, is the first person imperative marker let's.

2013 Guardian (Nexis) 5 Oct. (Guide Suppl.) 22 Films are organised into themes, most of them imperative verbs—Love, Dare, Laugh, Thrill, Debate.

2. Of the nature of, characterized by, or expressing a command; commanding; peremptory.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > command > command or bidding > [adjective]

preceptivec1485

mandatoryc1487

preceptory1508

commissional1528

preceptory1574

peremptory1576

imperative1577

jussory1613

commandatorya1659

commandivea1680

imperatorial1690

1577 H. I. tr. H. Bullinger 50 Godlie Serm. III. vi. 992/2 If it bee an imperatiue speache [L. praeceptiua locutio], eyther forbidding any haynous offence or wicked deede, or commaunding any profitable or good deede, it is no figuratiue speach.

1620 Bp. J. Hall Contempl. V. O.T. xv. 240 The suites of Kings are imperatiue.

1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxv. 131 Arising from the Imperative manner of speaking.

1788 J. T. Dillon Hist. Reign Peter the Cruel I. vi. 90 The King..began to recover his spirits, and in an imperative manner sent a messenger to the city of Toro.

1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin II. xxxii. 182 A female voice said something, in a quick, imperative tone.

1882 Harper's Mag. July 308/1 Finally yielding to the imperative demand, she repeated the conclusion of the scena amid the same vociferous delight.

1931 E. Hamilton in Wonder Stories Apr. 1272/1 His eyes and voice were imperative, and I..snicked over the switch.

a1974 G. Heyer My Lord John (1977) iv. i. 298 John had made an imperative sign to the executioner.

2011 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 29 Sept. 36/1 One of the most widely read and influential ‘wisdom’ books of the twentieth century, whose message is, more or less, wholly contained in its imperative title— Remember, Be Here Now.

3. Chiefly in predicative use.

a. That must be done, carried out, or obeyed; of the nature of a duty; obligatory. Also: incumbent on or upon a person.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [adjective] > urgent

urgent1496

instant1585

pressing1609

rash1609

pressive1619

imperative1621

imperious1623

exigent1624

urging1647

emergent1706

high pressure1834

acute1846

society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > [adjective]

fastOE

faithfula1500

obligatory1502

obligatoriousa1555

astrictivea1575

bounded1586

debt-bound1588

obliged1594

obligative1596

Stygian1608

obligator1609

binding1611

imperative1621

obligant1624

ligatory1625

obliging1638

obstrictive1642

boundant1649

self-binding1685

hard1935

1621 W. Mason Handful Ess. vii. 29 Men hauing many honest Trades to get their liuing by Gods ordinance, yet they vse indirect meanes, turning the Princes tolleration into an imparatiue law.

1684 J. Humfrey Two Steps Nonconformist Minister 15 The authority of a Lawgiver is Magisterial or Imperative, that constitutes duty, and his will is uncontroulable.

1746 Laws, Ordin. & Inst. Admirality Great Brit. I. i. 11 By the Law Civil and Domestic, as well as by the Common Law, whether Intervenient or Imperative.

1798 A. J. Dallas Rep. Cases U.S. & Pennsylvania 2 169 If the resolve of Congress had been absolute and imperative, instead of being barely recommendatory.

1808 J. Bentham Sc. Reform 112 Was it not meant that it should be, in the first instance, imperative upon somebody, and then eventually permissive to somebody else?

1869 T. H. Tanner Man. Pract. Med. (ed. 6) I. 126 Since the Act of Parliament made the use of machinery imperative, the soot-wart has been less frequently seen.

1902 G. S. Whitmore Last Maori War v. 63 I was informed that the orders that it contained were imperative, and that they must be implicitly obeyed without remonstrance or delay.

1945 M. Wolff Private Internat. Law iii. 168 Savigny..clearly showed that the rules of an absolute, imperative character (the ius cogens) to be found in any legal system are of two kinds.

1987 R. Mehta Socio-legal Status Women in India vi. 86 It became imperative on the framers of Indian Constitution to make special provisions for women.

2012 Derby Evening Tel. (Nexis) 18 Apr. 12 Knowledge and action at the point of the acquisition or disposal is imperative under the guidelines.

b. Of the nature of or constituting an urgent necessity; of vital importance; crucial, essential. Frequently with anticipatory it and clause as complement.

ΚΠ

1799 J. Geraghty Present State Ireland 35 These transactions..suggest the imperative necessity of now fixing the constitutional relation of the two countries.

1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. II. 191 The condition of our sick men made it imperative that I should return at once.

1891 Spectator 4 Apr. 465/2 The work is quite imperative, and its result will be most beneficial.

1929 F. Ponsonby Lett. Empress Frederick 242 The failing health of the nonagenarian ruler of Germany rendered his return to Berlin imperative.

1957 Aeronaut. Engin. Rev. July 47/1 The inadvertent reversal of the engine thrust has to be prevented... Consequently, the cockpit controls have to be designed so as to comply with this imperative requirement.

1991 Times 28 June 3/2 The result would be an imperative desire to get away from whatever situation they found themselves in.

2010 S. Fry Fry Chrons. 376 Ben..felt it imperative that the shows should be..taped in the true multi-camera studio-based sitcom style.

B. n.

1. Grammar. The imperative mood; a verb, form, construction, etc., in the imperative mood.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > mood > [noun] > imperative

imperative1530

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement Introd. 36 Je puis wanteth his present imparatyve and his present optatyve.

1569 W. Haywarde tr. A. Guarna Bellum Grammaticale sig. E.j Dice, face, fere and duce, of the bande of the imperatiues and commaunders.

1624 N. De Lawne tr. P. Du Moulin Elements Logick 108 Imperatives, Optatives, and Subjunctives enter not into an Enuntiation.

1669 J. Milton Accedence 17 There be four Moods, which express the manner of doing; the Indicative, the Imperative, the Potential or Subjunctive, and the Infinitive.

1751 J. Harris Hermes i. viii. 154 The..Imperative has no first Person of the singular.

1806 J. Carr Stranger in Ireland 24 Ge, or geh, seems to be the imperative of the German verb gehen, to go.

1882 F. G. Hibbard Comm. Old Test. V. 363/2 In Num. xvi, 26, ‘Depart from the tents’, etc.; the verb is in the imperative.

1938 Amer. Jrnl. Philol. 59 39 There are prophetic present imperatives as well as indicatives.

2005 K. C. Ryding Ref. Gram. Mod. Standard Arabic xxxv. 627 The imperative of defectives is based on the jussive form, with no changes except the deletion of the subject marker.

2. An authoritative utterance, regulation, or convention expressing or involving a command or obligation; a command, an injunction.See also categorical imperative n. at categorical adj. 1c.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > command > command or bidding > [noun] > a command

wordOE

behestc1175

commandmentc1250

precepta1325

mandementc1325

saw1338

hotea1350

biddinga1400

highta1400

judgementc1405

order1543

imperea1546

command1552

shall?1553

impery1561

mandate1576

mandition1597

imperative1606

fiata1631

mitzvah1723

order of the day1804

hukum1838

prikaz1858

1606 W. Birnie Blame of Kirk-buriall xvi. sig. D4^v The Lords lawes are either imperatiues of good or inhibitiues of ill.

1633 T. Adams Comm. 2 Peter (iii. 16) 1452 There be..such mysticall allusions, such majesticall imparatives.

1748 S. Richardson Clarissa III. xix. 118 The very sentences you give from your mamma, as so many imperatives, which you take amiss, are very severe reflections upon yourself.

1868 A. Bain Mental & Moral Sci. 729 To the endless number of possible aims of human action correspond as many Imperatives, directing merely how they are to be attained, without any question of their value.

1885 N. Smyth Reality of Faith xii. 100 Jesus speaks in imperatives. He commands human nature.

1935 R. W. Livingstone Greek Ideals & Mod. Life vi. 159 They never knew the unquestionable imperative of a direct Divine command.

2000 K. Shamsie Salt & Saffron (2001) xxi. 214 She only spoke to Masood to order meals and even then..she spoke in questions not in imperatives.

3. An urgent requirement, necessity, or obligation. Also: a factor or influence making something necessary.Frequently with modifying word, as economic imperative, moral imperative, political imperative, etc.biological imperative, territorial imperative: see the first element.

ΚΠ

1894 Decorator & Furnisher May 44/2 The imperatives of new practical problems and of new conditions and requirements imposed upon him.

1911 C. Meily Puritanism v. 101 The virtue of frugality was even more an economic imperative than a religious discipline.

1958 Amer. Polit. Sci. Rev. 52 851 Both delegations agreed on two imperatives—to bind Germany to the West and to insure the maximum security to Western Europe.

1987 Sydney Morning Herald (Nexis) 14 Feb. 4 We are not driven by the imperatives of land, hunger and poverty to exploit the forest for short-term survival.

1991 D. D'Souza Illiberal Educ. i. 16 Our university has a moral imperative to address the underrepresentation of racial and ethnic groups.

2006 D. Edgerton Shock of Old iii. 63 Collectivisation was..driven..by a political imperative to change the class structure in the countryside.

Compounds

imperative logic n. Philosophy a theory of logical reasoning dealing with sentences in the imperative mood.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > philosophy > logic > [noun] > branches of logic

analytic?1566

metalogic1842

alethiology1852

stoicheiologya1856

heuristic1860

psycho-logic1912

criteriology1934

conventionalism1938

imperative logic1939

heuristics1946

1839 J. S. Mill Let. 4 Nov. in Wks. (1963) XIII. 412 Mine is a logic of the indicative mood alone—the logic of the imperative, in which the major premiss says not is but ought—I do not meddle with.]

1939 Philos. Sci. 6 453 (heading) A logic of the doubtful. On optative and imperative logic.

1972 Mind 81 21 An ordinary indicative inference is said to be valid if and only if, whenever its premisses are true, its conclusion must also be true. Since imperatives can be neither true nor false, this definition of ‘validity’ cannot be applied directly to imperative logic.

2008 MIS Q. 32 736/1 Formal imperative logic is problematic.., so design research substitutes an imperative adaptation of declarative logic.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2019; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	imperative
释义	imperativeadj.n. Brit. /ɪmˈpɛrətɪv/, U.S. /ᵻmˈpɛrədɪv/ Forms: late Middle English inperatyf, late Middle English–1500s imperatyf, 1500s imparatyve, 1500s imperatife, 1500s imperatyue, 1500s imperatyve, 1500s–1600s imparatiue, 1500s–1600s imparative, 1500s–1600s imperatiue, 1600s inperative. Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: French imperatif; Latin imperativus. Etymology: < (i) Anglo-Norman and Middle French imperatif (French impératif ) (adjective) (in grammar) expressing a command (end of the 12th cent. in Old French), of the nature of a command (late 14th cent.), (noun) imperative mood (early 13th cent.), and its etymon (ii) post-classical Latin imperativus (in grammar) expressing a command (4th cent.), that commands (4th cent.), of or proceeding from a command, commanded (5th cent.) < classical Latin imperāt- , past participial stem of imperāre to command (see imperate v.) + -īvus -ive suffix, originally (in grammar) after ancient Greek προστακτικός.Compare Catalan imperatiu (14th cent.), Spanish imperativo (early 15th cent. as adjective, late 15th cent. (in grammar) as noun), Portuguese imperativo (early 16th cent. as adjective, also as noun), Italian imperativo (early 14th cent. as adjective and noun, earliest in grammar). Specific senses. With sense A. 3 compare French impératif authoritative (1713). With use as noun compare post-classical Latin imperativus (masculine) imperative mood (4th cent.), imperativa (neuter plural) imperative verbs (6th cent.), and also German Imperativ (15th cent.; in early use often with Latin inflectional endings). Compare the following early use of the post-classical Latin word (in senses A. 1 and B. 1) in an English context:OE Ælfric Gram. (St. John's Oxf.) 125 Þæt oðer modvs ys imperativvs, þæt ys, bebeodendlic: mid þam gemete we hatað oðre menn don sum ðing [oððe sum ðing] þrowian.OE Ælfric Gram. (St. John's Oxf.) 131 imperativo modo on bebeodendlicum gemete.OE Ælfric Gram. (St. John's Oxf.) 210 Sume word maciað heora imperativvm on c: facio ic do oððe wyrce, fac do; dic sege; duc læd. Specific forms. With forms in in- compare in- prefix³. A. adj. 1. Grammar. Designating a verbal mood, construction, or form expressing a command, request, warning, offer, or entreaty; of or relating to this mood. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > mood > [adjective] > imperative imperativec1450 commanding1565 mandativea1631 imperatival1849 c1450 in D. Thomson Middle Eng. Grammatical Texts (1984) 38 How knowyste imperatyf moode? That at byddyth or commaundeth, as ‘Go hens’, vade hinc. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement Introd. 31 Modes: every parfyte verbe hath vi, the indicatyve, imperatyve [etc.]. 1581 R. Goade in Confer. (1584) ii. sig. Mij^v It is the Imperatiue mode, and therefore a commaundement. 1620 E. Reeve Twelve Rules introducting to Art Latine 3 The impersonall passiue hath an imperatiue pretertence. 1665 G. Wither Medit. upon Lords Prayer 125 It is usual with the Prophets to express in the Imperative Mood, and by way of Prayer, those Benedictions which God hath decreed and promised to the Righteous. 1714 R. Johnson Noctes Nottinghamicæ 5 All Forms of Speech are either Declarative, Interrogative, Imperative, or Subjunctive. 1795 L. Murray Eng. Gram. 39 The Imperative Mode is used for commanding, exhorting, intreating, or permitting. 1814 J. Ross Short, Plain, Comprehensive, Pract. Lat. Gram. (ed. 5) 150 Imperative singulars of the second conjugation end long; as, dŏcē. 1895 W. H. D. Rouse tr. K. Brugmann Elem. Compar. Gram. Indo-Germanic Langs. IV. 75 The imperative forms have non-original strong stem. 1937 Language 13 50 Two basic moods are to be recognized in Chichewa: indicative and imperative. 1985 R. Quirk et al. Comprehensive Gram. Eng. Lang. 148 A better candidate than let for quasi-modal status, in informal English, is the first person imperative marker let's. 2013 Guardian (Nexis) 5 Oct. (Guide Suppl.) 22 Films are organised into themes, most of them imperative verbs—Love, Dare, Laugh, Thrill, Debate. 2. Of the nature of, characterized by, or expressing a command; commanding; peremptory. ΘΚΠ society > authority > command > command or bidding > [adjective] preceptivec1485 mandatoryc1487 preceptory1508 commissional1528 preceptory1574 peremptory1576 imperative1577 jussory1613 commandatorya1659 commandivea1680 imperatorial1690 1577 H. I. tr. H. Bullinger 50 Godlie Serm. III. vi. 992/2 If it bee an imperatiue speache [L. praeceptiua locutio], eyther forbidding any haynous offence or wicked deede, or commaunding any profitable or good deede, it is no figuratiue speach. 1620 Bp. J. Hall Contempl. V. O.T. xv. 240 The suites of Kings are imperatiue. 1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxv. 131 Arising from the Imperative manner of speaking. 1788 J. T. Dillon Hist. Reign Peter the Cruel I. vi. 90 The King..began to recover his spirits, and in an imperative manner sent a messenger to the city of Toro. 1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin II. xxxii. 182 A female voice said something, in a quick, imperative tone. 1882 Harper's Mag. July 308/1 Finally yielding to the imperative demand, she repeated the conclusion of the scena amid the same vociferous delight. 1931 E. Hamilton in Wonder Stories Apr. 1272/1 His eyes and voice were imperative, and I..snicked over the switch. a1974 G. Heyer My Lord John (1977) iv. i. 298 John had made an imperative sign to the executioner. 2011 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 29 Sept. 36/1 One of the most widely read and influential ‘wisdom’ books of the twentieth century, whose message is, more or less, wholly contained in its imperative title— Remember, Be Here Now. 3. Chiefly in predicative use. a. That must be done, carried out, or obeyed; of the nature of a duty; obligatory. Also: incumbent on or upon a person. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [adjective] > urgent urgent1496 instant1585 pressing1609 rash1609 pressive1619 imperative1621 imperious1623 exigent1624 urging1647 emergent1706 high pressure1834 acute1846 society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > [adjective] fastOE faithfula1500 obligatory1502 obligatoriousa1555 astrictivea1575 bounded1586 debt-bound1588 obliged1594 obligative1596 Stygian1608 obligator1609 binding1611 imperative1621 obligant1624 ligatory1625 obliging1638 obstrictive1642 boundant1649 self-binding1685 hard1935 1621 W. Mason Handful Ess. vii. 29 Men hauing many honest Trades to get their liuing by Gods ordinance, yet they vse indirect meanes, turning the Princes tolleration into an imparatiue law. 1684 J. Humfrey Two Steps Nonconformist Minister 15 The authority of a Lawgiver is Magisterial or Imperative, that constitutes duty, and his will is uncontroulable. 1746 Laws, Ordin. & Inst. Admirality Great Brit. I. i. 11 By the Law Civil and Domestic, as well as by the Common Law, whether Intervenient or Imperative. 1798 A. J. Dallas Rep. Cases U.S. & Pennsylvania 2 169 If the resolve of Congress had been absolute and imperative, instead of being barely recommendatory. 1808 J. Bentham Sc. Reform 112 Was it not meant that it should be, in the first instance, imperative upon somebody, and then eventually permissive to somebody else? 1869 T. H. Tanner Man. Pract. Med. (ed. 6) I. 126 Since the Act of Parliament made the use of machinery imperative, the soot-wart has been less frequently seen. 1902 G. S. Whitmore Last Maori War v. 63 I was informed that the orders that it contained were imperative, and that they must be implicitly obeyed without remonstrance or delay. 1945 M. Wolff Private Internat. Law iii. 168 Savigny..clearly showed that the rules of an absolute, imperative character (the ius cogens) to be found in any legal system are of two kinds. 1987 R. Mehta Socio-legal Status Women in India vi. 86 It became imperative on the framers of Indian Constitution to make special provisions for women. 2012 Derby Evening Tel. (Nexis) 18 Apr. 12 Knowledge and action at the point of the acquisition or disposal is imperative under the guidelines. b. Of the nature of or constituting an urgent necessity; of vital importance; crucial, essential. Frequently with anticipatory it and clause as complement. ΚΠ 1799 J. Geraghty Present State Ireland 35 These transactions..suggest the imperative necessity of now fixing the constitutional relation of the two countries. 1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. II. 191 The condition of our sick men made it imperative that I should return at once. 1891 Spectator 4 Apr. 465/2 The work is quite imperative, and its result will be most beneficial. 1929 F. Ponsonby Lett. Empress Frederick 242 The failing health of the nonagenarian ruler of Germany rendered his return to Berlin imperative. 1957 Aeronaut. Engin. Rev. July 47/1 The inadvertent reversal of the engine thrust has to be prevented... Consequently, the cockpit controls have to be designed so as to comply with this imperative requirement. 1991 Times 28 June 3/2 The result would be an imperative desire to get away from whatever situation they found themselves in. 2010 S. Fry Fry Chrons. 376 Ben..felt it imperative that the shows should be..taped in the true multi-camera studio-based sitcom style. B. n. 1. Grammar. The imperative mood; a verb, form, construction, etc., in the imperative mood. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > mood > [noun] > imperative imperative1530 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement Introd. 36 Je puis wanteth his present imparatyve and his present optatyve. 1569 W. Haywarde tr. A. Guarna Bellum Grammaticale sig. E.j Dice, face, fere and duce, of the bande of the imperatiues and commaunders. 1624 N. De Lawne tr. P. Du Moulin Elements Logick 108 Imperatives, Optatives, and Subjunctives enter not into an Enuntiation. 1669 J. Milton Accedence 17 There be four Moods, which express the manner of doing; the Indicative, the Imperative, the Potential or Subjunctive, and the Infinitive. 1751 J. Harris Hermes i. viii. 154 The..Imperative has no first Person of the singular. 1806 J. Carr Stranger in Ireland 24 Ge, or geh, seems to be the imperative of the German verb gehen, to go. 1882 F. G. Hibbard Comm. Old Test. V. 363/2 In Num. xvi, 26, ‘Depart from the tents’, etc.; the verb is in the imperative. 1938 Amer. Jrnl. Philol. 59 39 There are prophetic present imperatives as well as indicatives. 2005 K. C. Ryding Ref. Gram. Mod. Standard Arabic xxxv. 627 The imperative of defectives is based on the jussive form, with no changes except the deletion of the subject marker. 2. An authoritative utterance, regulation, or convention expressing or involving a command or obligation; a command, an injunction.See also categorical imperative n. at categorical adj. 1c. ΘΚΠ society > authority > command > command or bidding > [noun] > a command wordOE behestc1175 commandmentc1250 precepta1325 mandementc1325 saw1338 hotea1350 biddinga1400 highta1400 judgementc1405 order1543 imperea1546 command1552 shall?1553 impery1561 mandate1576 mandition1597 imperative1606 fiata1631 mitzvah1723 order of the day1804 hukum1838 prikaz1858 1606 W. Birnie Blame of Kirk-buriall xvi. sig. D4^v The Lords lawes are either imperatiues of good or inhibitiues of ill. 1633 T. Adams Comm. 2 Peter (iii. 16) 1452 There be..such mysticall allusions, such majesticall imparatives. 1748 S. Richardson Clarissa III. xix. 118 The very sentences you give from your mamma, as so many imperatives, which you take amiss, are very severe reflections upon yourself. 1868 A. Bain Mental & Moral Sci. 729 To the endless number of possible aims of human action correspond as many Imperatives, directing merely how they are to be attained, without any question of their value. 1885 N. Smyth Reality of Faith xii. 100 Jesus speaks in imperatives. He commands human nature. 1935 R. W. Livingstone Greek Ideals & Mod. Life vi. 159 They never knew the unquestionable imperative of a direct Divine command. 2000 K. Shamsie Salt & Saffron (2001) xxi. 214 She only spoke to Masood to order meals and even then..she spoke in questions not in imperatives. 3. An urgent requirement, necessity, or obligation. Also: a factor or influence making something necessary.Frequently with modifying word, as economic imperative, moral imperative, political imperative, etc.biological imperative, territorial imperative: see the first element. ΚΠ 1894 Decorator & Furnisher May 44/2 The imperatives of new practical problems and of new conditions and requirements imposed upon him. 1911 C. Meily Puritanism v. 101 The virtue of frugality was even more an economic imperative than a religious discipline. 1958 Amer. Polit. Sci. Rev. 52 851 Both delegations agreed on two imperatives—to bind Germany to the West and to insure the maximum security to Western Europe. 1987 Sydney Morning Herald (Nexis) 14 Feb. 4 We are not driven by the imperatives of land, hunger and poverty to exploit the forest for short-term survival. 1991 D. D'Souza Illiberal Educ. i. 16 Our university has a moral imperative to address the underrepresentation of racial and ethnic groups. 2006 D. Edgerton Shock of Old iii. 63 Collectivisation was..driven..by a political imperative to change the class structure in the countryside. Compounds imperative logic n. Philosophy a theory of logical reasoning dealing with sentences in the imperative mood. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > philosophy > logic > [noun] > branches of logic analytic?1566 metalogic1842 alethiology1852 stoicheiologya1856 heuristic1860 psycho-logic1912 criteriology1934 conventionalism1938 imperative logic1939 heuristics1946 1839 J. S. Mill Let. 4 Nov. in Wks. (1963) XIII. 412 Mine is a logic of the indicative mood alone—the logic of the imperative, in which the major premiss says not is but ought—I do not meddle with.] 1939 Philos. Sci. 6 453 (heading) A logic of the doubtful. On optative and imperative logic. 1972 Mind 81 21 An ordinary indicative inference is said to be valid if and only if, whenever its premisses are true, its conclusion must also be true. Since imperatives can be neither true nor false, this definition of ‘validity’ cannot be applied directly to imperative logic. 2008 MIS Q. 32 736/1 Formal imperative logic is problematic.., so design research substitutes an imperative adaptation of declarative logic. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2019; most recently modified version published online June 2022). < adj.n.c1450
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