imperious, imperial

imperious, imperial
These words are derived from the same Latin term and share a meaning of "domineering," "overbearing," "dictatorial": "The judge had an imperious (or imperial) manner in court." Originally, imperious meant "befitting or suitable to an emperor or ruler," as in Shakespeare's lines from Hamlet: "Imperious Caesar, dead and turned to clay, / Might stop a hole to keep the wind away." Now, imperious is more often used to mean "imperative" or "urgent": "There is an imperious need for food in this stricken area." One might speak of an imperious dictator who lives in the imperial capital city of his country.

Dictionary of problem words and expressions. . 1975.

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  • imperious — imperial, imperious Imperial means ‘relating to an empire or emperor’ and hence ‘characteristic of an emperor, supreme in authority’. Imperious is a more judgemental word and means ‘overbearing, domineering’ …   Modern English usage

  • imperial — imperial, imperious Imperial means ‘relating to an empire or emperor’ and hence ‘characteristic of an emperor, supreme in authority’. Imperious is a more judgemental word and means ‘overbearing, domineering’ …   Modern English usage

  • imperious — See imperious, imperial …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • imperial — See imperious, imperial …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • Imperious — Im*pe ri*ous, a. [L. imperiosus: cf. F. imp[ e]rieux. See {Imperial}.] 1. Commanding; ascendant; imperial; lordly; majestic. [Obs.] A vast and imperious mind. Tilloison. [1913 Webster] Therefore, great lords, be, as your titles witness, Imperious …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • imperious — [adj] bossy, overbearing arrogant, authoritative, autocratic, commanding, compulsatory, compulsory, despotic, dictatorial, domineering, exacting, haughty, high handed, imperative, imperial, mandatory, obligatory, oppressive, overweening,… …   New thesaurus

  • imperial — [im pir′ē əl] adj. [OFr < L imperialis < imperium, EMPIRE] 1. of an empire 2. of a country having control or sovereignty over other countries or colonies 3. of, or having the rank of, an emperor or empress 4. having supreme authority;… …   English World dictionary

  • Imperious Leader — BSG Character bgcolor=#f40 fgcolor=#000 name=Imperious Leader race=Cylon gender=Male callsign= rank=Leader colony= affiliation=Cylons portrayed=Patrick Macnee (voice) Dick Durock (body) The Imperious Leader is the ultimate office of the Cylons… …   Wikipedia

  • imperial — imperial1 imperially, adv. imperialness, n. /im pear ee euhl/, adj. 1. of, like, or pertaining to an empire. 2. of, like, or pertaining to an emperor or empress. 3. characterizing the rule or authority of a sovereign state over its dependencies.… …   Universalium

  • imperious — adjective /ɪmˈpɪəriəs,ɪmˈpɪriəs/ a) Domineering, arrogant, or overbearing. ...she glanced about her in an imperious, challenging sort of way, with looks and gestures that clearly were unstudied. b) Urgent. Circumstances of an imperious nature,… …   Wiktionary

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