See Also: COMMAND(law)
second-in-command(dictionary)
command(2)(dictionary)
command(1)(dictionary)
command module(dictionary)
command performance(dictionary)
command post(dictionary)
high command(dictionary)
Air Mobility Command(tourism)
command 2, verb(dictionary)

command(1) (iou)



command noun. LME.
[from the verb.]
The act of commanding; an authoritative statement that a person must do something; an order, bidding; a commandment. LME.
at a person's command, by a person's command in pursuance of a person's bidding. word of command the customary order for movement in drill; spoken signal to begin.
b. A symbolic expression which defines an operation in a computer; a signal initiating the performance of such an operation. M20.
The faculty of commanding; rule, control; the exercise or tenure of authority, esp. naval or military. Also, a commander's position. LME.
in command (of) commanding, in control (of). second in command: see SECOND adjective. under command of, under the command of commanded by.
Dryden He assumed an absolute command over his readers. Ld Macaulay The places and commands which he held under the Crown. C. S. Forester The command of a regular brigade of cavalry.
b. Those in command. Esp. in the high command, the higher command, the army commander-in-chief and his staff. E20.
Power of control, sway, mastery, possession. M16.
at command ready to be used at will. command of language skill in speech, articulacy.
B. Jowett Having gifts of courage..and command of money and friends. I. Compton-Burnett Duncan..had lost his command of himself.
b. Domination from an elevated or superior strategic position; range of vision, outlook, prospect. E17.
K. Digby I..gott my fleete out of command of the fortes. Dryden The steepy stand, which overlooks the vale with wide command.
c. Despotism, coercion. rare. L17.
A body of troops, a district, etc., under a commander (esp. naval or military) or one particular authority; a unit of an army, air force, etc., organized for a particular duty or operating in a particular area. L16.
Bomber Command, Coastal Command, Fighter Command, Strike Command, Support Command, Transport Command, etc.
G. Catlin Colonel Dodge ordered the command to halt. B. Horrocks Before the war Western Command had always been regarded as a backwater.
Comb.: command economy Economics = planned economy s.v. PLANNED ppl. adjective; command language Computing a source language composed chiefly of a set of commands or operators, used esp. for communicating with the operating system of a computer; spec. a job control language; command module the control compartment of a spacecraft; Command Paper a paper laid by command of the Crown before Parliament etc.; command performance a theatrical etc. performance given by royal command; command post the headquarters of a military unit.