emperor

[ em-per-er ]

noun

1. the male sovereign or supreme ruler of an empire:

   the emperors of Rome.

2. Chiefly British. a size of drawing or writing paper, 48 × 72 inches (122 × 183 centimeters).

emperor

/ ˈɛmpərə /

noun

1. a monarch who rules or reigns over an empire
2. Also calledemperor moth any of several large saturniid moths with eyelike markings on each wing, esp Saturnia pavonia of Europe See also giant peacock moth
3. See purple emperor

Derived Forms

• ˈemperorˌship, noun

Other Words From

• emper·or·ship noun
• pre·emper·or noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of emperor¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English empero(u)r, (from Anglo-French; Old French empereor, from Latin imperātor, originally, “one who gives orders, ruler,” equivalent to imperā(re) “to order, command” ( im- “in” + -perāre, combining form of parāre “to provide, get ready” ) + -tor noun suffix of agency; im- ¹, prepare, -tor

Word History and Origins

Origin of emperor¹

C13: from Old French empereor, from Latin imperātor commander-in-chief, from imperāre to command, from im- + parāre to make ready

Example Sentences

Chinese emperors once came to this Ming dynasty holy site to pray for a good harvest.

From BBC

The collection also includes a chicken cup used to serve wine for the Chenghua emperor and Ru wares made for the Northern Song dynasty court around 1086.

From BBC

In 2019, I interrupted private equity emperor Stephen Schwarzman as he addressed several hundred of his and my Yale classmates at our 50th-year reunion dinner under a great white tent on the college's Old Campus.

From Salon

If Trump truly believed he won that election, it would be even worse — the screwy emperor with no clothes.

From Los Angeles Times

The feathered headdress once worn by Aztec emperor Moctezuma II resides in Vienna.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• czar
• dictator
• empress
• king
• monarch
• sultan