Main Entry: ¹roy·al

Pronunciation: \ˈrȯi(-ə)l\

Function: 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