Main Entry:

em·per·or

Pronunciation:

\ˈem-pər-ər, -prər\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French emperur, from Latin imperator, literally, commander, from imperare to command, from in- + parare to prepare, order — more at pare

Date:

13th century

: the sovereign or supreme male monarch of an empire

— em·per·or·ship \-ˌship\ noun