dictation

noun

• 1 (abbreviation: dict.) the action of saying words aloud to be typed, written down, or recorded on tape:the dictation of letters
• the activity of taking down a passage that is read aloud by a teacher as a test of spelling, writing, or language skills:passages for dictation
• an utterance that is typed, written down, or recorded:the person who writes the dictation down is his agent

• 2the action of giving orders authoritatively or categorically.