adj. & n.
--adj.
1. of or characteristic of an empire or comparable sovereign State.
2 a of or characteristic of an emperor. b supreme in authority. c majestic, august. d magnificent.
3 (of non-metric weights and measures) used or formerly used by statute in the UK (imperial gallon).
--n. a former size of paper, 762 x 559 mm (30 x 22 inches).
Derivatives:
imperially adv.
Etymology: ME f. OF f. L imperialis f. imperium command, authority