[em.pire] n [ME, fr. OF empire, empirie, fr. L imperium absolute authority, empire, fr. imperare] (14c) 1 a (1): a major political unit having a territory of great extent or a number of territories or peoples under a single sovereign authority; esp: one having an emperor as chief of state (2): the territory of such a political unit b: something resembling a political empire; esp: an extensive territory or enterprise under single domination or control
2: imperial sovereignty, rule, or dominion Em.pire adj [F, fr. (le premier) Empire the first Empire of France] (1869): of, relating to, or characteristic of a style (as of clothing or furniture) popular in early 19th century France