roy|al

roy|al «ROY uhl», adjective, noun.

–adj.

1. a) of kings and queens: »

the royal family.

b) belonging to the family of a king or queen: »

a royal prince.

2. belonging to a king or queen: »

royal power, a royal palace.

3. a) serving a king or queen: »

the royal household.

b) founded by, or under the patronage of, a king or queen: »

the Royal Academy.

4. from or by a king or queen: »

a royal command.

5. of a kingdom: »

a royal army or navy.

6. appropriate for a king or queen; splendid: »

a royal welcome, a royal feast.

SYNONYM(S): magnificent.

7. like a king; noble; majestic: »

The lion is a royal beast.

SYNONYM(S): august.

8. fine; excellent.

9. rich and bright: »

royal red.

10. chemically inert; noble: »

royal metals.

–n.

1. a small mast, sail, or yard, set above the topgallant.

2. a size of writing paper (19 × 24 inches).

3. a size of printing paper (20 × 25 inches).

4. Informal. a member of a royal family; royal personage: »

The Swedish royals are French (Time). He thinks that his true parents are European royals (Punch).

5. any one of various former coins, such as the ryal.

╂[< Old French roial, real < Latin rēgālis < rēx, rēgis king. See etym. of doublets real² (Cf. ↑real), regal. (Cf. ↑regal)]

–roy´al|ly, adverb.

Synonym Study adjective. 1, 2 Royal, regal, kingly mean of or belonging to a king or kings. Royal is the st general in application, describing people or things associated with or belonging to a king: »

Sherwood Forest is a royal forest.

Regal emphasizes the majesty, pomp, and magnificence of the office, and is now used chiefly of people or things showing these qualities: »

The general has a regal bearing.

Kingly emphasizes the personal character, actions, purposes, or feelings of or worthy of a king: »

Tempering justice with mercy is a kingly virtue.