n.
Pronunciation: ' ro ̇ i(- ə )l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English roial, from Anglo-French real, roial, from Latin regalis, from reg-, rex king; akin to Old Irish r ī (gen. r ī g ) king, Sanskrit r ā jan, Latin regere to rule ― more at RIGHT
Date: 14th century
1 a : of kingly ancestry <the royal family> b : of, relating to, or subject to the crown <the royal 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 royal road to logic ― Justus Buchler>
3 a : of superior size, magnitude, or quality <a patronage of royal dimensions ― J. H. Plumb> ― often used as an intensive <a royal 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 \ ' ro ̇ i- ə -l ē \ adverb