I. im-ˈpir-ē-əl adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin imperialis, from Latin imperium command, empire
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : of, relating to, befitting, or suggestive of an empire or an emperor
b.
(1) : of or relating to the United Kingdom as distinguished from the constituent parts
(2) : of or relating to the Commonwealth of Nations and British Empire
2.
a. : sovereign
b. : regal , imperious
3. : of superior or unusual size or excellence
4. : belonging to the official British series of weights and measures — see weight table
• im·pe·ri·al·ly -ə-lē adverb
II. noun
Date: circa 1524
1. capitalized : an adherent or soldier of the Holy Roman emperor
2. : emperor
3.
[French impériale; from the beard worn by Napoléon III]
: a pointed beard growing below the lower lip
4. : something of unusual size or excellence