majesty

[ maj-uh-stee ]

noun

, plural maj·es·ties.

1. regal, lofty, or stately dignity; imposing character; grandeur:

   majesty of bearing; the majesty of Chartres.

2. supreme greatness or authority; sovereignty:

   All paid tribute to the majesty of Rome.

3. (usually initial capital letter) a title used when speaking of or to a sovereign (usually preceded by his, her, or your ):

   His Majesty's Navy; Will your Majesty hear our petitions?

4. a royal personage, or royal personages collectively:

   The royal wedding was attended by the majesties of Europe.

5. Christ in Majesty, a representation of Christ as ruler of the universe.

majesty

¹

/ ˈmædʒɪstɪ /

noun

1. great dignity of bearing; loftiness; grandeur
2. supreme power or authority
3. an archaic word for royalty

Majesty

²

/ ˈmædʒɪstɪ /

noun

1. (preceded by Your, His, Her, or Their ) a title used to address or refer to a sovereign or the wife or widow of a sovereign

Word History and Origins

Origin of majesty¹

1250–1300; Middle English majeste < Middle French < Latin majestāt- (stem of majestās ) dignity, grandeur, equivalent to majes- (akin to majus < *mag-yos, neuter comparative of magnus large; major ) + -tāt- -ty ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of majesty¹

C13: from Old French, from Latin mājestās; related to Latin major, comparative of magnus great

Example Sentences

Having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King, I have decided to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury.

From BBC

Announcing the infection last week, Buckingham Palace said: "Her Majesty The Queen is currently unwell with a chest infection, for which her doctors have advised a short period of rest."

From BBC

But in the alternate universe of the Constantinian Order, their majesty is very much intact.

From Slate

As a California DJ and television personality in the early 1970s, Mintz found himself in Lennon’s orbit during an era in which rock ‘n’ roll was gingerly feeling its way after the majesty and tumult of the 1960s.

From Salon

“I sovereign, Lidia Thorpe, do solemnly and sincerely swear that I will be faithful and I bear true allegiance to the colonising her majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” she said, as she was being sworn in.

From BBC

Related Words

• greatness