imperial

comparative more imperial · superlative most imperial

1. Related to an empire, emperor, or empress.

   the imperial diadem of Rome

   c. 1588–1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Lamentable Tragedy of Titus Andronicus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i]

2. Relating to the British imperial system of measurement.

   Using imperial units such as pounds makes fresh produce look cheaper than it really is, and it might be luring consumers away from frozen produce, which could possibly provide the same nutritional benefits at lower cost.

   2023, Patrick Lejtenyi, Food price perception can depend on whether it is measured in imperial or metric, according to new Concordia research, Concordia University News

3. Very grand or fine.
4. Of special, superior, or unusual size or excellence.
5. Stronger than typical. (Derived from the name of Russian Imperial stout, a strong dark beer.)

   Imperial pale ale, Imperial IPA, Imperial pilsner, Imperial milk stout, Imperial lager, Imperial mead

plural imperials

1. countableuncountableA bottle of wine (usually Bordeaux) containing 6 liters of fluid, eight times the volume of a standard bottle.
2. countableuncountablepapermediaA writing paper size measuring 30 × 22 inches, or printing paper measuring 32 × 22 inches.
3. uncountablecard gamesA card game differing from piquet in some minor details, and in having a trump.
4. countablecard gamesAny of several combinations of cards which score in this game.
5. countableuncountableA crown imperial.

   There are who say the sonnet's meted maze Is all too fettered for the poet's powers, Compelled to crowd his flush and airy flowers Like pots of tall imperials, ill at ease.

   1816, John Freeman Milward Dovaston, The Sonnet

6. countableuncountableA tuft of hair on the lower lip (so called from its use by Napoleon III).

   Synonyms: royal

7. countableuncountableA kind of dome, as in Moorish buildings.
8. countablehistoricaluncountableAn outside or roof seat on a diligence or carriage.

   ...and she was just in time to see Mr. Boyne Sillery hand her aunt into a carriage, jump in himself, when it drove off with a rapidity which scarcely allowed her to observe that a large imperial was on the top, and her aunt's servant, with a huge bandbox, on the dickey.

   1831, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], Romance and Reality. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, […], →OCLC, pages 134–135

9. countablehistoricaluncountableA suitcase or trunk designed to be transported on the roof of a carriage.

   [T]he imperials were packed, and the post-chariot was at the door.

   1818, Thomas Love Peacock, chapter 3, in Nightmare Abbey, Hookham, published 1818

10. countableuncountableA variety of green tea.

1. abbreviationclippingnot comparablehistoryClipping of Imperial Japanese.First known use 19th c.

   For quotations using this term, see Citations:Imperial.

2. not comparableAlternative letter-case form of imperial (“of alcohol: stronger”).

1. A city in Imperial County, California, United States.
2. A city, the county seat of Chase County, Nebraska, United States.
3. A town in Saskatchewan, Canada.
4. Imperial College London.

   He is now professor of infectious disease epidemiology at Imperial

   2020 April 5, “Coronavirus: tensions rise over scientists at heart of lockdown policy”, in The Times, London

5. A census-designated place in Pennsylvania, United States.
6. A census-designated place in Texas, United States.
7. An unincorporated community in Virginia, United States.
8. An unincorporated community in West Virginia, United States.
9. A former department of Chile.

plural Imperials

1. A large Bordeaux wine bottle with the capacity of about 6 liters, equivalent to 8 standard bottles.

   Synonyms: methuselah