English edit

Etymology edit

dictate +‎ -er

Noun edit

dictater (plural dictaters)

  1. One who dictates; one who gives dictation.
    • 1904 October, Charles G. Mutzenbergh, “The Stenographer”, in The Phonographic Magazine and National Shorthand Reporter:
      The dictater frequently misreads or mistalks a word. If the error is plain, and leaves no room for doubt that it is an error, don't copy that error.
    • 1910, Jerome Bird Howard, The Phonographic Amanuensis, page 210:
      When, however, in any particular case, he has no assured means of determining the true spelling of the name, he should always quietly interrupt the dictater with the request, " Spell it , please," and then write the name in longhand from the dictater's spelling.
    • 1972, Carl Heyel, Handbook of Modern Office Management and Administrative Services, pages 4-28:
      On the other hand, an embossed system involves less of the dictater's time (which is presumably more expensive) than of the secretary's time.

Usage notes edit

Not to be confused with dictator.