[im.pe.ri.al] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL imperialis, fr. L imperium command, empire] (14c) 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 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 -- im.pe.ri.al.ly adv
[2]imperial n (ca. 1524) 1 cap: an adherent or soldier of the Holy Roman emperor
2: emperor 3 [F imperiale; fr. the beard worn by Napoleon III]: a pointed beard growing below the lower lip
4: something of unusual size or excellence