Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Command

Command (?; 61) , transitive verb

[Old English comaunden, commanden, Old French comander, French commander, from Latin com- + mandare to commit to, to command. Compare Commend, Mandate.]

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. — Shakespeare
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. — Shakespeare
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. — Shakespeare
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 receive 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. [Obsolete]
I will command my blessing upon you. — Lev. xxv. 21

Command , intransitive verb

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. — Shakespeare
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 , noun

1.
An authoritative order requiring obedience; a mandate; an injunction.
Awaiting what command their mighty chief Had to impose. — Milton
2.
The possession or exercise of authority.
Command and force may often create, but can never cure, an aversion. — Locke
3.
Authority; power or right of control; leadership; as, the forces under his command.
4.
Power to dominate, command, or overlook by means of position; scope of vision; survey.
The steepy stand Which overlooks the vale with wide command. — Dryden
5.
Control; power over something; sway; influence; as, to have command over one's temper or voice; the fort has command of the bridge.
He assumed an absolute command over his readers. — Dryden
6.
A body of troops, or any naval or military force or post, or the whole territory under the authority or control of a particular officer.
Collocations (1)
Word of command (Military) , a word or phrase of definite and established meaning, used in directing the movements of soldiers; as, aim; fire; shoulder arms, etc.