Main Entry: ¹im·pe·ri·al

Pronunciation: \im-ˈpir-ē-əl\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin imperialis, from Latin imperium command, empire

Date: 14th century

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 of Nations 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 — see weight table

— im·pe·ri·al·ly \-ə-lē\ adverb