ə̇mˈpirēəm, -per-, -pēr- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin, command, supreme authority, empire — more at empire
1.
a.
(1) : supreme power or absolute dominion especially over a large area
surrender the showy shadow of imperium to secure the solid substance of colonial loyalty and cooperation — Oliver Benson
(2) : regulatory powers or control
had relinquished all imperium … over the land in question — U.S. Code
existing governments had exhausted their imperium — Walter Lippmann
b. : an area over which such power or dominion is exercised : territory , empire
the portentous imperium of the cartels — R.M.MacIver
2.
a. : the right to command : the right of jurisdiction which includes the right to employ the force of the state to enforce the laws : executive power : sovereignty
b. Roman law : the power to hear and determine cases and to give judgments — compare dominium , jurisdiction