im|pe|ri|al

im|pe|ri|al «ihm PIHR ee uhl», adjective, noun.

–adj.

1. of or having to do with an empire or its ruler: »

Imperial Caesar dead and turned to clay (Keith Preston).

2. of or having to do with the rule or authority of one country over other countries and colonies: »

The imperial power of Great Britain in India ended after World War II.

3. Figurative. having the rank of an emperor; supreme in authority: »

the imperial power of the state over its citizens.

4. Figurative. very fine or grand; supreme; majestic; magnificent: »

The Lily's height bespoke command—A fair imperial flow'r (William Cowper).

5. of larger size or better quality.

6. according to the former British standard of weights and measures: »

The Hodgson committee reported that the metric system was clearly better than the imperial system (New Scientist).

–n.

1. a very small beard growing beneath the lower lip. Napoleon III wore such a beard.

2. a size of paper, 23 by 31 inches (in England 22 by 30 inches).

3. an article of special size or quality, especially as a trade name.

4. a former Russian gold coin, worth 10 rubles.

5. a) the roof of a closed carriage. b) a case or trunk for luggage carried there: »

The imperials were packed, and the post-chariot was at the door (Thomas Love Peacock).

╂[< Old French imperial, learned borrowing from Latin imperiālis < imperium empire < imperāre to command; see etym. under imperative (Cf. ↑imperative)]

–im|pe´rial|ly, adverb.

–im|pe´ri|al|ness, noun.

Im|pe|ri|al «ihm PIHR ee uhl», noun.

1. a supporter of the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.

2. one of his soldiers.