- Empire
- Empire Em"pire, n. [F., fr. L. imperium a command,
sovereignty, dominion, empire, fr. imperare. See {Emperor};
cf. {Imperial}.]
1. Supreme power; sovereignty; sway; dominion. ``The empire
of the sea.'' --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
Over hell extend His empire, and with iron scepter rule. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
2. The dominion of an emperor; the territory or countries under the jurisdiction and dominion of an emperor (rarely of a king), usually of greater extent than a kingdom, always comprising a variety in the nationality of, or the forms of administration in, constituent and subordinate portions; as, the Austrian empire. [1913 Webster]
Empire carries with it the idea of a vast and complicated government. --C. J. Smith. [1913 Webster]
3. Any dominion; supreme control; governing influence; rule; sway; as, the empire of mind or of reason. ``Under the empire of facts.'' --M. Arnold. [1913 Webster]
Another force which, in the Middle Ages, shared with chivalry the empire over the minds of men. --A. W. Ward. [1913 Webster]
{Celestial empire}. See under {Celestial}.
{Empire City}, a common designation of the city of New York.
{Empire State}, a common designation of the State of New York.
Syn: Sway; dominion; rule; control; reign; sovereignty; government; kingdom; realm; state. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
