Etymology From Middle English royal, from Old French roial (Modern French royal), from Latin rēgālis, from rēx (“king”). Doublet of regal (“befitting a king”), real (“unit of currency”), ariary, and riyal. Cognate with Spanish real, Italian reale, Catalan reial. Displaced native Old English cynelīċ.
1
Of or relating to a monarch or his (or her) family.
He tried to persuade Cicely to stay away from the ball-room for a fourth dance. […] But she said she must go back, and when they joined the crowd again her partner was haled off with a frightened look to the royal circle, […]1909 September 9, Archibald Marshall [pseudonym; Arthur Hammond Marshall], “A Court Ball”, in The Squire’s Daughter, London: Methuen & Co. […], →OCLC, page 9:
On the first Friday morning of his kingship he went into the kitchen and called for his royal chef.2011, Marilyn Price, Grandma's Cookies, page 7:
2
Having the air or demeanour of a monarch; illustrious; magnanimous; of more than common size or excellence.
How doth that royal Merchant good Anthonio;c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii], page 175, column 2:
3
Nautical, Transport In large sailing ships, of a mast right above the topgallant mast and its sails.
Etymology From Middle English royal, from Old French roial (Modern French royal), from Latin rēgālis, from rēx (“king”). Doublet of regal (“befitting a king”), real (“unit of currency”), ariary, and riyal. Cognate with Spanish real, Italian reale, Catalan reial. Displaced native Old English cynelīċ.
Capitalized, Informal, Often A royal person; a member of a royal family.
Andy noted in RAIL 462: "The Royals are bound to have a great say in the decoration of the train and it speaks volumes for their regard for it that there are so many portraits of previous Royal Trains and items presented on trips. I sense they're extremely fond of it."2022 September 21, Philip Haigh, “Comment: Her Majesty's final journey”, in RAIL, number 966, page 3:
in ten days after we spoke the Solon, so rapid was his recovery, that, from lying helpless and almost hopeless in his berth, he was at the mast-heId, furling a royal.1840, R[ichard] H[enry] D[ana], Jr., “CHAPTER XXXV”, in Two Years before the Mast. […] (Harper’s Family Library; no. CVI), New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers […], →OCLC:
Etymology A habitational surname, shaped by folk etymology, from places in England, Riehale, Righale, Ryhill and Ryall, Old English ryge (“rye”) + hyll (“hill”), and Royle, rā (“roe”) + hyll (“hill”).
1
Ball games, Games, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Soccer, Sports someone connected with Reading Football Club, as a fan, player, coach etc.
Royal
noun
Etymology Capitalization of royal.
1
UK, Historical A member of the first regiment of foot in the British army.