English → Latin
“imperative” in Latin
imperiōsusmighty, powerful, puissant, commanding; imperious, domineering, overbearing, tyrannical, dictatorialofficiumduty, service, office; obligation, an obligatory service, visit, or gesture; kindness, favor, courtesymandōto order, command, enjoin; to put in hand; deliver over; to commit, consign
The English word imperative itself goes back to Latin parō, through imperātīvus.
Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864
imperative
imperiosus (in the manner of authoritative command): imperiose praecipiens (directing in the tone of a master; Gell.): necessitate quadam delegatus (e.g., officium, an imperative duty laid upon anybody, Cic.): cui repugnari minime potest (e.g., vis, Quint., 6, 3, 8). An imperative command, mandatum.
In grammar. The imperative mood, modus imperativus.
Quick answer
- What is the Latin word for imperative?
- The usual Latin words for “imperative” are imperiōsus, officium, mandō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.
Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.