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.
1
Related to an empire, emperor, or empress.
the imperial diadem of Romec. 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
In particular, Of alcohol Stronger than typical. (Derived from the name of Russian Imperial stout, a strong dark beer.)
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.
A bottle of wine (usually Bordeaux) containing 6 liters of fluid, eight times the volume of a standard bottle.
2
Media, Printing, Publishing A writing paper size measuring 30 × 22 inches, or printing paper measuring 32 × 22 inches.
3
Card games, Games A card game differing from piquet in some minor details, and in having a trump.
4
Card games, Games Any of several combinations of cards which score in this game.
5
A 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
A tuft of hair on the lower lip (so called from its use by Napoleon III).
7
A kind of dome, as in Moorish buildings.
8
Historical An 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
Historical A 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
A variety of green tea.
Imperial
noun
1
A large Bordeaux wine bottle with the capacity of about 6 liters, equivalent to 8 standard bottles.