1. To order with authority; to lay injunction upon; to direct; to bid; to charge. We are commanded to forgive our enemies, but you never read that we are commanded to forgive our friends. Bacon. Go to your mistress: Say, I command her come to me. Shak.
2. To exercise direct authority over; to have control of; to have at
one's disposal; to lead.
Monmouth commanded the English auxiliaries. Macaulay.
Such aid as I can spare you shall command. Shak.
3. To have within a sphere of control, influence, access, or vision; to dominate by position; to guard; to overlook. Bridges commanded by a fortified house. Motley. Up to the eastern tower, Whose height commands as subject all the vale. Shak. One side commands a view of the finest garden. Addison.
4. To have power or influence of the nature of authority over; to obtain as if by ordering; to reeceive as a due; to challenge; to claim; as, justice commands the respect and affections of the people; the best goods command the best price. 'Tis not in mortals to command success. Addison.
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.