dictater

English

Etymology

dictate +‎ -er

Noun

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

Not to be confused with dictator.