commanded

Commanded is the past tense and past participle of the verb command. In ordinary use, it denotes that someone issued an order or directive to others, or that someone or something was under the control or supervision of a person in authority. It can describe active leadership, as in “The general commanded the army,” or passive authority, as in “The fortress was commanded by a seasoned officer.” The term can also be used more figuratively, such as when something “commands” attention, or when a property or resource is said to “command” a price or rent.

Etymology and development: The word derives from Old French comande or commande, which in turn comes from Latin mandare, meaning to entrust or to order. The sense of giving orders and exercising authority evolved in Middle English, retaining a core notion of directing others or overseeing something.

Usage notes: Commanded is versatile across domains including military, organizational leadership, and law or governance contexts. It can take direct objects (him, the troops, the region) and also appear in passive constructions. In modern usage, the phrase “to command” often carries nuances of authority, scope, and responsibility, while also appearing in more figurative forms tied to attention, resources, or value.

See also: command, commander, commandment, mandate.