imperial

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a small tufted beard worn by Emperor Napoleon III
  2. noun a piece of luggage carried on top of a coach
  3. adjective relating to or associated with an empire

Etymology

From Middle English imperial, from Old French imperial, from Latin imperiālis (“of the empire or emperor, imperial”), from imperium (“empire, imperial government”) + -ālis, from imperō (“command, order”), from im- (“form of in”) + parō (“prepare, arrange; intend”). Displaced Old English cāserlīċ.

In classic literature

Synonyms

imperial beard

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