[roy.al] adj [ME roial, fr. MF, fr. L regalis, fr. reg-, rex king; akin to OIr ri (gen. rig) king, Skt rajan, L regere to rule--more at right] (14c) 1 a: of kingly ancestry "the ~ family" b: of, relating to, or subject to the crown "the ~ estates" c: being in the crown's service "Royal Air Force"
2. a: suitable for royalty: magnificent b: requiring no exertion: easy "there is no ~ road to logic --Justus Buchler" 3 a: of superior size, magnitude, or quality "a patronage of ~ dimensions --J. H. Plumb"--often used as an intensive "a ~ pain" b: established or chartered by the crown
4: of, relating to, or being a part (as a mast, sail, or yard) next above the topgallant -- roy.al.ly adv
[2]royal n (14c) 1: a person of royal blood
2: a small sail on the royal mast immediately above the topgallant sail
3: a stag of
8. years or more having antlers with at least 12 points