[f. as prec. + -ING2.] That commands.
1. gen. Possessing or exercising command or control, ruling, controlling. Commanding signs in Astrol.: see quot. 1696.
1483. Cath. Angl., 72. Commandynge, imperiosus.
1593. Shaks., 3 Hen. VI., III. i. 29. The great Commanding Warwicke.
1678. Norris, Coll. Misc. (1699), 2. The commanding Wand In Moses’s hand.
1696. Phillips, Commanding Signs, the first six Signs of the Zodiack.
1756. Burke, Subl. & B., Introd. Wks. I. 105. To affect the imagination with these commanding ideas.
1863. Ruskin, Munera P. (1880), 148. The relation of the commanding rich to the obeying poor.
b. Impelling, effectively actuating.
1703. Moxon, Mech. Exerc., 175. The power commanding … lies so far from the weight to be commanded.
1805. Nelson, in Nicolas, Disp. (1846), VI. 444. To stand under an easy but commanding sail.
1823. W. Scoresby, Jrnl. Voy. N. Whale Fishery, 68. Sailing when we had a commanding breeze.
c. Commanding officer: an officer in command. Commanding ship: the commander’s ship, the leader of a squadron.
1758. Naval Chron., VIII. 448. The commanding ship hoisted her top-sails.
1796–7. Instr. & Reg. Cavalry (1813), 51. Commanding officers of regiments.
1859. Thackeray, Virgin., vi. 48. The French commanding officer on the Ohio.
† 2. Grammar. Imperative. Obs.
1565. Calfhill, Answ. Treat. Crosse (1846), 60. Which words be spoken in the Commanding Mode.
3. Indicating or expressing command; nobly dignified; having an exalted or imperial air.
1591. Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., IV. vii. 88. He speakes with such a proud commanding spirit.
1623. Massinger, Bondman, III. ii. The majesty of commanding beauty.
1752. Johnson, Rambler, No. 189, ¶ 12. The commanding dignity of her motion.
1835. Lytton, Rienzi, I. Of a tall and even commanding stature.
1851. Midland Florist, V. 369. [It] is a commanding flower.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., IV. 340. Men of commanding genius.
4. Dominating by superior height or strategic position; having a wide and unobstructed prospect.
1634. Brereton, Trav. (Chetham Soc.), 13. A high and commanding turret.
1751. Chambers, Cycl., Commanding ground, an eminence, or rising ground, which overlooks any post or strong place.
1849–50. Alison, Hist. Europe, XIII. lxxxvii. 49. His guns, established on a commanding knoll in the centre.
1856. Emerson, Eng. Traits. Lit., Wks. (Bohn), II. 112. Commanding views in literature, philosophy and science.
