Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web

imperium

 - 2 dictionary results

im⋅pe⋅ri⋅um

[im-peer-ee-uhm]
–noun, plural -pe⋅ri⋅a [-peer-ee-uh] , -pe⋅ri⋅ums.
1. command; supreme power.
2. area of dominion; sphere of control or monopoly; empire.
3. a nation having or exerting supreme power; superpower.
4. Law. the right to command the force of the state in order to enforce the law.

Origin:
1645–55; < L: supreme administrative power, authority, empire, equiv. to imper(āre) to rule (see imperative ) + -ium -ium
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To imperium
im·pe·ri·um   (ĭm-pîr'ē-əm)   
n.   pl. im·pe·ri·a (-pîr'ē-ə)
  1. Absolute rule; supreme power.

  2. A sphere of power or dominion; an empire.

  3. Law The right or power of a state to enforce the law.


[Latin; see empire.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see imperium on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us: