I. ˈrȯi(-ə)l adjective
Etymology: Middle English roial, from Anglo-French real, roial, from Latin regalis, from reg-, rex king; akin to Old Irish rī (genitive rīg ) king, Sanskrit rājan, 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 ˈrȯi-ə-lē adverb
II. noun
Date: 14th century
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